Strengthens Company’s Commitment to Booming Canned Wine Business
Precept Wine is excited to announce the acquisition of New York-based Pampelonne, a line of highly acclaimed sparkling wine cocktails made from fine French wine. Distributed nationally in leading high-end supermarkets, independent wine shops and gourmet stores, Pampelonne comes in 4 delicious varieties, including French 75, Rose Lime, Blood Orange Spritz, and La Peche, and are sold either as individual or 4 packs of 250 ml cans.
Founded in 2013, Pampelonne is inspired by the sophisticated yet carefree beach in St. Tropez by the same name and uses fine French wine to create refreshing, light sparkling wine cocktails that are only 120 calories per can. The wines are crisp, dry and feature bubbles, fruit juice and all-natural flavors. Several flavors are inspired by classic Italian aperitive and offer the perfect blend of convenience and taste.
The acquisition gives Precept a further foothold in the booming canned wine business and an entrance into the imported premium canned wine segment. Pampelonne joins Precept’s portfolio of other top-selling canned wine brands, including House Wine, the #1 selling 375 ml canned wine in the country; Day Drinking by Little Big Town; Ste. Chapelle Spritz; and Cense in partnership with WW, Weight Watchers Re-imagined. Precept is projected to sell over 500,000 cases of canned wines in 2020.
Pampelonne was started by entrepreneurs Wyatt Carder and Erik Weller. Originally from New York City and growing up in Vermont, Wyatt found his way back to Manhattan in 2010 where he became involved in the wine and hospitality industry. His love of wine and entrepreneurial spirit gave rise to Pampelonne, where he has been involved in every aspect of product development and marketing of the brand. He currently lives in Manhattan with his girlfriend and two mini-schnauzers.
Growing up in Washington D.C., and graduating from Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Erik’s concentration was in real estate and finance. Out of college, Erik worked in real estate but realized his dream was to enter the beverage industry and launch his own cocktail brand. Erik lives in Midtown New York City with his wife, Lani, and their two-year-old Lucian.
Both Wyatt and Erik will continue on a consulting basis with Precept supporting further sales growth and distribution of Pampelonne.
Seattle-based Precept Wine is the largest privately held wine producer in the Pacific Northwest and a top 12 American wine producer. With deep roots representing more than 30 years of Northwest investments in the wine industry, Precept owns and maintains nearly 4,000 planted vineyard acres across Washington, Idaho, New Mexico and Oregon; such leading wine brands as Waterbrook, Gruet, Browne Family Vineyards, Canoe Ridge Vineyard, House Wine, Pendulum, Primarius, Washington Hills, Battle Creek Cellars, Ste. Chapelle, Cense and Colby Red, plus tasting rooms and hospitality throughout the Pacific Northwest and New Mexico. Founded in 2003 by Andrew Browne and Dan Baty, the company’s wineries have garnered more than 800 combined best buys and critical scores exceeding 90 points. Learn more at www.preceptwine.com.