May and June saw the launch of additional brands within the Connecticut Distributors, Inc. (CDI) portfolio with sales launch events for three suppliers: Monaco Cocktails, a ready-to-drink line, Gooseneck Vineyards of North Kingstown, Rhode Island, and local spirits brand, Asylum Distillery of Bridgeport. The new wine brands were welcomed with brand education and tasting sessions during CDI monthly sales meetings. An off-site tour and tasting was hosted at Asylum Distillery for its CDI launch with sales team members.
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- Made with premium base sprits, the Monaco Cocktails RTD line includes the lightly-carbonated Citrus Rush Vodka Cocktail, Cranberry Vodka Cocktail, Mango Peach Vodka Cocktail, Black Raspberry Vodka Cocktail, Tequila Lime Crush Tequila Cocktail, Blue Crush Vodka, Tequila, Rum and Gin Cocktail and Tropic Rush Vodka Cocktail, all 9% ABV and gluten free. Shown is Monaco Tropic Rush.
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- Callie Bak, Trade Marketing Manager, CDI; Ryan Toole, Business Manager, CDI; John Parke, President, CDI; Greg Mauloff, President, Monaco Cocktails; Paul Puhalla, Director of Business Development, CDI; Steve Slota, Off-Premise Division Manager, CDI.
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- Gooseneck Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc is a New Zealand-style sauvignon blanc that offers multidimensional layers. Banana and passion fruit aromas encapsulate the bouquet and juicy stone fruits, fused with notes of pink grapefruit on the palate with a dry finish. The Gooseneck team seeks out the best grape growing regions in the world for its varietals.
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- Jon Fredyna, Business Manager, CDI; Paul Fede, Co-founder, National Sales Director, Gooseneck Vineyards; Mariana Burke, Brand Ambassador/Certified Sommelier, Gooseneck Vineyards; John Parke, President, CDI; and Paul Puhalla, Director of Business Development, CDI.
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- Bridgeport’s Asylum Distillery line includes handcrafted, small batch Ginger Zap Flavored Vodka, Simply Celery Flavored Vodka, Cinnamon Zap Flavored Vodka, Vodka, Gin, Fifth State Moonshine, Fifth State Whiskey and CT Maple Whiskey. Asylum Gin was awarded a Silver Medal from the American Distilling Institute (ADI) and is Certified Craft Distilled.
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- Rob Schulten, Distiller, Asylum Distillery, addresses the CDI team at a tour of the Bridgeport facility. Opening in May 2016, it was the first distillery to open in Bridgeport, and also the first in Fairfield County since Prohibition ended.
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- The CDI New England Division and Spirit Account Development group members at Asylum Distillery with Rob Schulten, Head Distiller (far left); Bridget Schulten, Sales/Events (left center) and Neil Doocy, Social Media/Marketing (right center).
