Palm Bay International and the family-owned Finger Lakes, New York winery Hazlitt 1852 Vineyards have announce a new national partnership agreement.
Effective August 1, Hazlitt and the company’s Red Cat brand will join Palm Bay’s portfolio.
This marks the first New York State entry into the company’s portfolio, which in recent years has expanded beyond imports to include domestic wines from California.
Red Cat currently enjoys commercial success in markets such as New York and Pennsylvania, the company said in a press release. Through this strategic partnership, Palm Bay and Hazlitt intend to expand into additional key markets on a national basis.
The primary focus will be on the Red Cat family of brands, which are made from native New York grape varieties Catawba and Niagara and include Red Cat, White Cat, Bramble Berry and Cabin Fever. Their national average SRP is $8.99/750-ml. bottle, $15.99/1.5-L., $24.99/3-L. pouch.
Additionally, Palm Bay will work with a selection of Hazlitt’s vinifera varieties, including a semi-dry Riesling ($13.00/750-ml.) and dry Riesling ($17.00/750-ml.).
Siblings and co-owners Doug Hazlitt and Leigh Hazlitt Triner, together with their spouses Cheryl and Greg, respectively, represent the 6th generation of the Hazlitt family involved in viticulture in this classic region, the company said. The Hazlitts operate two tastings rooms in the Finger Lakes and employ over 100 full- and part-time people.
“As the demand for sweet wines shows no sign of slowing, we are proud to partner with a family-owned company that has specialized in high quality, accessible sweet wines with personality since their foundation,” said Marc D. Taub, President & CEO of Palm Bay International, in a press release. “The opportunity to work with grape varieties that are native to New York – as well as some of the vinifera varieties that the Finger Lakes region is famed for – adds an exciting dimension to our portfolio of authentic wines from around the globe.”
“Palm Bay’s powerful sales and marketing organization and incredible network of top wholesalers around the country will enable us to expand our reach and break new ground,” said Doug Hazlitt. ““We are extremely excited to be working with Palm Bay moving forward.”
