Gallo launches premium brand in UK

E&J Gallo is launching a new wine range onto the UK on-trade, positioning it as part of its premium portfolio following success in the US.

Gallo’s Canyon Road Merlot

Already stocked at venues in the US including the Ritz Carlton and Four Seasons hotel, Canyon Road will be available exclusively to the UK on-trade from this summer and promises to give “style-conscious consumers” a premium wine that “over delivers on price”.

It is the latest move by the US producer to up its premium offering, and follows recent rash of vineyard acquisitions in top Californian wine regions.

Earlier this year the California wine giant bought Talbott Vineyards in California’s Santa Lucia Highlands, as part of a conscious shift toward premium wines.

In March Gallo snapped up sparkling wine specialist J Vineyards & Winery in a deal that included the Healdsburg winery and 121 hectares of vineyards in Sonoma and the Russian River Valley. Two months later Gallo bought two vineyard sites in the Napa Valley – Cypress Ranch and part of the Palisades Vineyard near Calistoga, further strengthening its premium portfolio.

“We’re delighted to be introducing Canyon Road to restaurants and bars in the UK and look forward to emulating its success State-­‐side over here,” said Olga Senkina, marketing director of EMEA, E&J Gallo Winery.

“Canyon Road wines reflect contemporary lifestyles and will appeal to image conscious consumers who seek premium wine at an affordable price. We have worked very closely with our on-­‐trade customers to select the first Canyon Road wines to introduce to the UK market and we will continue gain their invaluable counsel and feedback as we launch new products within the Canyon Road portfolio.”

Canyon Road is available in three varietals: Pinot Grigio, Merlot and White Zinfandel. It carries an RSWP (retail specific wholesale price) of £51 for a case of 12.