The Prisoner Wine Company, known for its defiantly different super-luxury blends with visually provocative labels, introduced the launch of Unshackled, a new luxury wine brand available nationwide in January 2020.

Developed by The Prisoner Wine Company’s Director of Winemaking Chrissy Wittmann and her winemaking team, the Unshackled portfolio offers a Red Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon and Rosé, each sourced from California’s Central Coast and North Coast wine growing regions. Wittmann employs her renowned method of blending nontraditional varietals to develop Unshackled’s unique style for those who think, create and drink differently.

“Fans of The Prisoner Wine Company will recognize something special in Unshackled, which blends together familiar varietals from California’s premier wine regions to create a distinct collection with a personality all its own,” says Wittmann. “This is an exciting new chapter for our winemaking team, to craft wines with our signature quality in a new style.”

Unshackled provides a well-priced option for wine drinkers looking to further explore—or discover for the first time—the allure and rule-bending ethos of parent brand The Prisoner Wine Company. Honoring the eye- catching labels that The Prisoner Wine Company is known for, each bottle of Unshackled is adorned with a metallic codex debossed with details that hold the key to the wine’s appellation, varietal and vintage. The combination lock-style label hints at the freedom of creativity released with just the right code.

“Unshackled offers consumers the boldness and creativity they love from The Prisoner Wine Company—which continues to drive the brand’s incredible double-digit growth year after year—at a remarkable value,” says Jim Sabia, Chief Marketing Officer. He adds, “We hope that fans of The Prisoner Wine Company enjoy this new brand expression, and that new consumers are able to discover the brand through this luxury tier.”

The portfolio includes:

  • Unshackled Red Blend 2018 (SRP $30): A blend of Zinfandel, Malbec, Petite Sirah, Syrah and Grenache, this wine opens with aromas of raspberry, blueberry and crushed violets. On the palate, it offers flavors of spiced dried cherries, florals and a hint of white pepper, with a generous mouthfeel.
  • Unshackled Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 (SRP $30): Bold and flavor-forward, with aromas of plum, blackberry and a hint of olive, this Cabernet is blended with small amounts of Petite Sirah, Syrah and Merlot. Its flavors of black stone fruit and dried herbs are complemented by solid tannin structure and balanced acidity.
  • Unshackled Rosé 2019 (SRP $27): Bright and crisp with juicy tropical and red fruit aromas, this wine’s bright acidity couples with flavors of grapefruit, tangerine and strawberry to create a refreshing rosé with a crisp finish.

The first vintage of Unshackled by The Prisoner Wine Company will be released in January 2020 and will be available in all major U.S. markets.

Beverage, Industry News