1000 Stories, the authentic bourbon barrel-aged wine producer, is releasing overall growth numbers since the brand’s official launch in 2014. The brand has succeeded at bridging the gap between the craft spirits and wine worlds by offering a product that combines the best attributes of both. In addition, 1000 Stories is announcing the release of the Gold Rush Red—a new red blend slated for market entry in Spring 2018.
Winemaker Bob Blue attributes the growth to an exponential increase in consumer interest in the craft movement and innovation in the drinks category in the last few years. 1000 Stories, a 2016 IMPACT “Hot Prospect” award winner, has enjoyed remarkable success as the original brand in the rapidly growing category. Since 2014, the brand has grown tremendously and approached the 100,000 case depletion milestone in 2017, its third year of trading.
Although 1000 Stories is only a three-year-old brand, Bob has been working with bourbon barrels since the early 1980s; initially out of necessity as French and American wine barrels weren’t as widely available as they are today. The rest is history. “When we launched 1000 Stories, bourbon barrel-aged wines was not a “cool category” and we had no idea how the wines would be received. My vision is and always has been to make a quality wine that introduces different flavors to broadening audiences and we are thrilled with the wide reception we have received so far,” states Bob Blue. “At 1000 Stories, we like to challenge the palate and broaden the understanding and appreciation for what a wine can be. We also seek to pay tribute to the past, by celebrating Zinfandel, one of California’s most historic and iconic varietals.”
As brand growth continues and production increases, Bob and the winemaking team are adamant about maintaining a “batch” approach. Insightful sourcing and careful management in the cellar elicits the polished character, layered flavors and elegantly bold nature 1000 Stories has become known for. The winery will also be introducing the Gold Rush Red and a limited-release Carignan projected for Father’s Day in 2018, with additional details to be announced at a later date.
Director of Marketing Rachel Newman echoes Bob’s sentiments about maintaining the brand’s essence through a “batch” approach while catering to a growing audience. “There’s a genuine reaction to the flavor profile. Interest and intrigue gives people a reason to try something new, and when the product is good, it is easier to sustain that interest. We find that our wine appeals to a very broad demographic, it seems to have no boundaries in terms of age, gender or background.” The momentum is only expected to grow as the brand’s distribution increases exponentially across America.
