St. Paul, Minn. – March 25, 2024 – Johnson Brothers, family-owned and operated since 1953, is excited to announce the expansion of its partnership with Domain HWH through the introduction of The Mascot into four new markets: Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and West Virginia. These states will join existing partnerships in Minnesota and North Carolina.
The Mascot is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon made with fruit sourced from multiple Harlan family-owned properties across Napa Valley, including Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory. It initially started as a small project shared among family, friends, and the winemaking team, and the first release was the 2008 vintage in 2013.
The wine’s label, which bears an engraving of a white English bull terrier, was inspired by two sources: the classic tale, The Bar Sinister, which tells the story of a white English bull terrier named Kid (a Harlan family favorite) and an image of a white English bull terrier named Prince that the Farmers Deposit National Bank of Pittsburgh commissioned to illustrate its stock certificates and checks.
“The Mascot began as an experimental project which was blended from our young vines and shared with close family and friends,” said Mollie Maisch, Director of The Mascot. “It was introduced by Will Harlan and inspired by his desire to create a wine we could share a bit more widely with folks who were curious about our unique hillside vineyards. With its approachable character, The Mascot continues to offer a friendly glimpse into the Harlan family Domain. We are excited to deepen our partnership with Johnson Brothers and to share our efforts with new friends across Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, and West Virginia!”
Currently offering the 2019 vintage, The Mascot will be managed by Oxford Street Merchants, Johnson Brothers’ luxury organization.
“We are thrilled to expand our partnership with the Harlan family and now represent The Mascot across six states,” said Yale Johnson, Vice President of Johnson Brothers, who leads Oxford Street Merchants. “The Mascot has quickly established itself as an iconic brand in our industry, and we look forward to sharing this world-class wine with more consumers across the country.”
About Johnson Brothers
Johnson Brothers is a leading wine, spirits, and beer distributor, providing world-class service to customers across the U.S. Founded in 1953, the company has been family-owned for three generations and is committed to the values established by Lynn Johnson, its founder: work ethic, passion, innovation, teamwork, excellence, and integrity. By partnering with the best suppliers worldwide, Johnson Brothers provides exceptional brands and services to customers across 21 states. We are proud to announce that Newsweek has recognized Johnson Brothers as one of the 2023 Most Trustworthy Companies in America! For more info, visit us at Johnsonbrothers.com | LinkedIn | Instagram.
About Oxford Street Merchants
Oxford Street Merchants is an organization of Johnson Brothers, a leading wine, beer, and spirits distributor in the United States, focused on luxury spirits and estate wines. Its dedicated, knowledgeable, and accredited team members bring a passion for brand stewardship and storytelling, ensuring each encounter leaves the customer with an unparalleled luxury experience. Committed to executional excellence and standards of performance, Oxford Street Merchants combines innovation and analytics to drive results. Its name pays homage to 43 Oxford Street, the Saint Paul, Minnesota building where Lynn Johnson founded the third-generation, family-run business. For more info, visit us at oxfordstmerchants.com | Instagram.
About The Mascot/Domain HWH
The Mascot is a Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon made from distinct hillside vineyards, specifically the younger vines of Harlan Estate, BOND, and Promontory. It started out as a small project shared among the family, winemaking team, and close friends. Drawing fruit from blocks of recently replanted vineyards, The Mascot offers a glimpse into the evolution of its parent estates: a youthful snapshot of their future. With the 2008 vintage, the family had enough wine—500 cases—to introduce the endeavor to the outside world, releasing the first bottles in 2013. An athletic balance of energy and density, The Mascot is expressive and approachable early in its life with potential to evolve long into the future.
