Buckeye Vodka Teams With Ohio State Athletics Department
Buckeye Vodka, the #1 Ohio-made vodka, has secured a sponsorship with The Ohio State University Department of Athletics, beginning August 2024. For the first time, Buckeye Vodka is a Proud Sponsor of Ohio State Athletics, brokered through the departments multi-media rights partner Learfield, the media and technology company powering college athletics.
Just in time for tailgating season, Buckeye Vodka will be making a splash across local and national media outlets, celebrating, and building excitement around this relationship. The product will be available at all events throughout the year at both the Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center.
Buckeye fans can enjoy their favorite Ohio-made vodka at collegiate football and basketball games. A family-owned and operated business, making premium craft vodka that’s distilled 10 times, Buckeye Vodka is hailed by fans throughout the state as the smoothest vodka.
“The relationship with The Ohio State University Athletics just makes sense. The brands align very well. We are thrilled to bring two winning traditions together in this way and share the story of Buckeye Vodka with Buckeye Nation,” said Jim Finke, co-founder of the vodka company. “Ohio State Athletics is an incredible brand with a winning tradition. They are particular about who they take on as sponsors.
“Enjoy Buckeye Vodka at your tailgates, share it at home with your friends and ask for it by name at your favorite establishments not just on game days but any day you’re enjoying a refreshment. As always, we ask that everyone please drink responsibly.”
“We are excited to welcome Buckeye Vodka as a Proud Sponsor of Ohio State Athletics,” said Todd Knisley, vice president & general manager at Ohio State Sports Properties. “Their commitment to quality and passion for supporting local communities aligns perfectly with our mission at The Ohio State University Athletics.”
Buckeye Vodka continues to lead Ohio’s alcohol and vodka industry with a handcrafted production method that is meticulous and distinct. From its inception, it has boasted the true “Spirit of Ohio” – rock-solid determination in the face of adversity. The company tests and compares every batch against the leading national brands and will not stop until it’s the smoothest. This personal attention to detail ensures that each bottle is just as good as the last, offering top shelf vodka without the top shelf price.
The vodka is carefully handcrafted right in Ohio’s Miami Valley. For over a decade, the team has tested and compared each distillation and filtration batch against the leading national brands. Its use of distilled water has contributed to the distillery’s success in producing a clean, smooth and consistent experience every time. This personal attention to detail ensures that every bottle is just as good as the last.
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Southern Glazer’s to Acquire Horizon Beverage Group
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits — the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol— plans to acquire Horizon Beverage Group, Inc., one of New England’s premier alcohol distributors. The deal includes all of Horizon’s operations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, as well as their wine, spirits, and beer portfolio, and makes these two states the 46th and 47th markets in Southern Glazer’s U.S. footprint, in addition to Canada and the Caribbean.
Upon completion of the acquisition, the business will operate under the Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits of Massachusetts and of Rhode Island names, respectively. The current Horizon leadership teams in both states will continue leading operations in those markets and will work closely with Southern Glazer’s East Region President Scott Oppenheimer. All of Horizon’s family members and leadership team, including Co-Chairmen Bob Epstein and Jim Rubenstein, will also continue in their current roles to help ensure a smooth transition for all employees, suppliers, and customers.
“The Epstein and Rubenstein families have spent four generations building an exceptional business and legacy in New England that we have admired for years,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, chief executive officer, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. “Horizon’s dedication to innovation and operational excellence, along with commitments to social responsibility, environmental sustainability, corporate citizenship, and diversity, create an ideal match for Southern Glazer’s business and culture. We expect all existing and new supplier partners, as well as customers, to benefit from our two companies’ strengths and expertise, and look forward to building on the great foundation already established in the valuable Massachusetts and Rhode Island markets.”
Formed in 1933, Horizon has grown to be one of the largest beverage alcohol distributors in New England, with long-standing supplier relationships with some of the world’s top beer, wine and spirits brands. The company currently employs more than 600 people, operates 800,000 square feet of warehouse space and has a fleet of nearly 100 delivery vehicles.
Added Epstein, “We have full confidence in a seamless transition for all of Horizon’s valued team members and partners. I have enjoyed a more than 50-year relationship with the Chaplin family. Southern Glazer’s is the ideal partner with the size, scale and strength to support our employees well into the future, and to maintain our promise of high-quality service for customers and suppliers in New England.”
“Horizon’s trading partners will gain access to Southern Glazer’s world-class commercial, supply chain, digital, and data insights capabilities,” said Rubenstein. “In addition, joining the broader Southern Glazer’s family provides our talented and passionate employees even greater skill development and career growth opportunities. I trust this next step in our journey will be incredibly positive for all parties.”
The deal is expected to close upon regulatory approval.
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned company has operations in 44 states, the District of Columbia, and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its WEBB Banks division in the Caribbean, Central and South America. In 2024, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits.
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Maison Jospeh Drougin Ships Wines to US Via Sailboat
Maison Joseph Drouhin, renowned for the quality of its Burgundy wines, is taking a new step in its sustainability commitment by announcing its first wine shipment by sailboat. In partnership with TOWT, 15,000 bottles of 2022 Chablis and Côte de Beaune white wines will set sail in summer 2024 aboard the Anemos for a transatlantic voyage between Le Havre and New York.
This initiative represents a strong commitment for the Beaune-based company, adopting this innovative and sustainable mode of transport in line with its long-established environmental approach. This carbonless navigation allows for a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions and a 98% reduction in sulphur oxide emissions while ensuring the quality and integrity of the wines during the 15-day voyage.
The USA holds particular significance for the Drouhin family, which has owned an import company in New York and 100 hectares of vineyards in Oregon for over 40 years. As pioneers in this region, the Drouhin family continues to affirm its strong connection with the American market, its first export market after France. This first transatlantic voyage by sailboat is set to become a regular occurrence, with two annual shipments planned in the coming years until the arrival of new boats.
This initiative by Maison Joseph Drouhin is based on its core values: Passion, Harmony, Audacity, Regenerative, Excellence (PHARE, “Lighthouse” in French).
Having long been committed to environmentally respectful practices, it was one of the first Burgundy houses to adopt organic and biodynamic viticulture practices in the late 1980s. It has introduced innovative initiatives such as creating a lightweight bottle in 2008.
Inspired by family values passed down through generations, Maison Joseph Drouhin has long been committed to embodying the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and actively contributing to sustainable development in all its aspects.
Frédéric Drouhin, chairman of the executive board and a member of the fourth generation, expresses this vision by stating: “Today, the employees of Maison Joseph Drouhin and I are proud of our actions that go beyond the CSR approach. It represents not only our core values but also our commitment to a better future for our planet and future generations. Our goal for 2030 is to be a model in our choices for preserving the wine heritage and ensuring its resilience in the face of internal and external climatic and human challenges.”
Joseph Drouhin is the first wine company to have signed the Climate Business Convention, reaffirming its commitment to reducing its ecological footprint.
For Diana Mesa, General Manager, and Guillaume Le Grand, President of TOWT, this commercial partnership is a true success: “Joseph Drouhin, through its high-quality products and commitments to respecting our environment, is an exceptional partner for TOWT. Today, we are proud to collaborate together to decarbonize the maritime sector and promote sustainable maritime transport.”
Founded in 1880, Maison Joseph Drouhin has five generations of experience and expertise and relies heavily on family tradition. The estate comprises 100 hectares of vineyards, 14 of which are Grand Cru and 30 Premiers Cru, all managed according to organic and biodynamic viticulture principles since 1988. Additionally, the Maison purchases grapes from loyal suppliers to complete its range where it does not own vineyards. Respect for the originality of the terroir and vintage, finesse, elegance, and harmony: this defines the Joseph Drouhin style.
The Anemos is part of the new generation of sail cargo ships from TOWT (TransOceanic Wind Transport) for transporting wines by sail cargo ship. Currently being completed in Concarneau, this ship will be inaugurated shortly in Le Havre before departing for New York. The Anemos promises to reduce CO2 emissions by more than 90% compared to traditional cargo ships thanks to its primarily wind-powered propulsion. At 80 meters long with a cargo capacity of 1100 tons, Anemos is the largest and most efficient sail cargo ship in its category. It is the first of eight vessels for the company.
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