Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and Vintage Wine Estates Revamp Cigar Zin With Bold New Campaign To Get Consumers Fired Up

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Dec. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits, in a joint venture partnership with Sonoma's Vintage Wine Estates (VWE), is taking on the Zinfandel category with the relaunch of Cigar Zin, boasting a hot new package, riper wine style and bold new marketing campaign.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121220/PH32642-a )

(Logo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121220/PH32642LOGO-b )

Cigar Zin, first launched in 1997 by Cosentino Winery, enjoyed a 15-year cult following in select markets among zealous Zinfandel drinkers looking for a luscious, spicy Zinfandel. "This brand had localized success and we see an opportunity to update and relaunch Cigar Zin within the premium California Zinfandel $12-$18 segment and grow it significantly. Putting the strength of our sales and marketing engine behind Cigar Zin will ensure we gain rapid distribution and cultivate a national following," said Tom Steffanci, president of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits.

Cigar Zin's striking new label is reminiscent of a rich, fine cigar. The wine is rich and spicy with gobs of black and red fruit. The campaign headline is bold and evocative - "You're Gonna Need a Bigger Steak," a wordplay on the classic line from the 1975 movie "Jaws" (You're gonna need a bigger boat). Another headline flexes more muscle reminding Zinfandel lovers that this is a wine that is about big bold fruit, not tutti-fruit - "Put Your Hands in the Air and Step Away from the Rose."

"We've enhanced the wine and label and are ready to bring it to more consumers. The Deutsch team created a campaign that grabs you and makes you want to sink your teeth into a classic fruit-forward Zin that is great all by itself or paired with a big steak or barbecued ribs," Steffanci said.

The marketing campaign will be supported with in-store point-of-sale and grass roots sampling at events such as the Cigar Aficionado Big Smoke in Las Vegas and New York. Cigar Zin will be available nationwide beginning January 2013. Suggested retail price is $17.99.

Cigar Zin expands the Deutsch relationship with Pat Roney, President of Vintage Wine Estates and VWE and Deutsch co-own the trademark. The new Cigar Zin blend was crafted with the winemaking expertise of Marco DiGiulio, who oversees winemaking for brands of Deutsch's California portfolio from VWE including Girard, The Calling, Flirt and others.
www.cigarzin.com

Contact: Melanie Young, 917 478 5899, [email protected]

About Vintage Wine Estates:

Vintage Wine Estates, headquartered in Santa Rosa, California, is a locally-owned, multifaceted wine business enterprise encompassing exceptional wines from Napa, Sonoma and the finest North Coast appellations, including Flirt Winery, Girard Winery, Cosentino Winery, Cartlidge & Browne Winery, Ray's Station, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Windsor Sonoma Winery, Grove Street Winery and Windsor Vineyards.

About Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits:

Initially called W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd., the company was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009, it announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a Spirits Portfolio. Deutsch Family Wine and Spirits' brands are sold to the trade with well-planned marketing support and are offered to U.S. consumers at fair market prices. Today the company is renowned for its brand building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill's son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirits industry.

The portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [ yellow tail ], [ yellow tail ] The Reserve, [ yellow tail ] Bubbles; California: Cigar Zin, Girard Winery, Windsor Sonoma, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Kunde Family Estate, Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars, Flirt, The Calling; France: Andre Lurton, Georges Duboeuf, Hob Nob Vineyards, Patch Block, Sauvion et Fils, Vidal Fleury; Italy: Enza Prosecco, Fini, Lionello Marchesi, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings, Nine Walks; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Spain: Mar De Frades, Cruz de Alba, Ramon Bilbao Vinos Y Vinedo, and Volteo ; Chile: Llai Llai; Argentina: Ruta 22, and award-winning spirits from LANDY Cognac (France), LUKSUSOWA Vodka (Poland), The Original MOONSHINE® and Adult Beverage Company (USA), VILLA MASSA® Limoncello (Italy) and LICOR 43® (Spain). www.deutschfamily.com

This press release was issued through eReleases® Press Release Distribution. For more information, visit http://www.ereleases.com.

SOURCE Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits