News Briefs for March 18, 2025
•Sicily’s Donnafugata, imported by Folio Fine Wine Partners, is launching a Mille e una Notte 2021 Special Edition in collaboration with Netflix, marking the debut of the six-episode series The Leopard.
The Netflix series is inspired by Tomasi di Lampedusa’s classic novel, in which Donnafugata is the name of the protagonist’s estate. The special edition of Mille e una Notte—a Sicilia DOC Rosso composed of Nero d’Avola, Petit Verdot, and Syrah—is available for pre-sale on Noble Wine Merchants for an SRP of $112.
•Infinium Spirits has purchased Howler Head flavored whiskey from Campari Group for an undisclosed amount. The move brings the banana-flavored whiskey into the Infinium portfolio alongside Templeton Rye, Corralejo Tequila, Tears of Llorona, Zaya rum, and Seagram’s Vodka. Campari first invested in the brand in August 2022, taking a 15% stake in Howler Head for $15 million and gaining global distribution rights.
•Few have done more to champion German wines in the U.S. than Rudi Wiest, who passed away March 9 in Henderson, Nev. He was 88. Rudi Wiest Selections, the import business he founded in 1978, offered one of the most influential German wine portfolios in the industry, including iconic estates J.J. Prüm, Karthäuserhof and Egon Müller. His focus was exclusively on Germany at a time when most Americans didn’t know much about German wines or held negative perceptions about their quality. Wine Spectator has more on Wiest’s life and career.
•Beluga Vodka, imported by Noblewood USA, is joining the Empire Merchants portfolio in New York. Effective April 1, Empire will distribute Beluga across New York state, where the wholesaler delivers to over 10,000 accounts on- and off-premise. Beluga is made from 100% Nordic grain in Montenegro, and includes Beluga Gold Line, Beluga Noble, Beluga Transatlantic Racing, Beluga Allure, and Beluga Celebration expressions.
Subscribe to Shanken News Daily’s Email Newsletter, delivered to your inbox each morning.
Tagged : Beluga, Donnafugata, Empire Merchants, Howler Head, Infinum, Rudi Wiest
