Sonoma Spirits Brand Widens Scope to Accommodate Growth of Craft Vodka Category
Sonoma County, Calif. (October 14, 2019) — Purple Wine + Spirits today announced the new launch of their Benham’s Vodka label, signaling another step forward for the spirit brand after successful launches of its Sonoma Dry Gin in 2016 and its Barrel-finished Gin in 2018. The new release of Benham’s Vodka will see distribution throughout the nation in a number of on-premise, craft cocktail accounts, and reflects growing consumer appreciation for artisan vodka at desirable price points.
Both Purple Wine + Spirits Founder Derek Benham and head distiller Jeff Duckhorn sought to produce “a vodka with complexity” for the Benham’s brand, which comes at a time when American craft vodkas are increasingly popular in the spirits sector. Indeed—the $20-30 domestic, unflavored vodka (750mL) bottle category is growing at +27% in dollar volume (Source: IRI Total Liquor Stores, Calendar Year Ending 12-30-18) and continues to be an important presence in on-premise establishments across the country. Accordingly, the $24.99 MSRP for Benham’s Vodka sits at the heart of a category that is rapidly gaining consumers and distillers in lockstep.
To craft Benham’s Vodka, Duckhorn sources local California wine grapes, which are crushed and separated from the skin, stems, and seeds to remove any bitterness. From there, both grapes and grains are individually distilled and blended to ensure the full potential of flavor and quality of each component.
Their custom-built, continuous micro-column still permits more precise distillate cuts ensuring all impurities are removed from the final product. The result is a vodka with exceptional character boasting a smooth and complex finish. Duckhorn notes that “The strategic addition of corn and the use of charcoal filtering really helps to create a clean and crisp drinking experience.”
Benham’s Vodka begins shipping to stores and bars nationwide this month with a suggested retail price of $24.99. For more information, visit https://purplewinespirits.com/products/spirits/
ABOUT PURPLE WINE + SPIRITS
Founded by Derek Benham in 2001, Purple Wine + Spirits is dedicated to creating extraordinary wine and distilled spirits experiences including nationally branded, custom and private label wines for major U.S. and International retailers and restaurateurs. In 2015, Benham added a distillery to Purple Wine + Spirits main production facility based in the west Sonoma County town of Graton. For more information about Purple Wine + Spirits, please visit our website:purplewinespirits.com
