导读：备受赞誉的加州葡萄酒生产商Z. Alexander Brown Wines®，与增长最快的威士忌品牌之一Ole Smoky Distillery®，今天宣布，他们已携手合作，在精选的Ole Smoky威士忌酒桶中陈酿了一款全新的赤霞珠葡萄酒。这款2021年“出笼”威士忌桶陈酿赤霞珠将于本月在全国范围内上市，为快速增长的超优质桶装烈酒类别中的消费者提供了一个令人垂涎欲滴的新选择。该类别在过去一年里已经实现了26%的销售额增长。

这段合作关系源于2016年那场毁灭性的野火，它不仅摧毁了东田纳西州大烟山的一部分，也点燃了Zac Brown乐队和Ole Smoky Distillery之间友谊和支持之火。在野火后期，乐队前往田纳西州加特林堡举办了一场名为“Mountain Tough Benefit”的音乐会，以筹集资金帮助受灾者。他们还送出了18辆配有商用厨房的大型卡车，为失去家园的人们提供食物。

Zac Brown himself spoke highly of the collaboration, saying that "it's important to me to work with people who share a sense of community and family." He also expressed his excitement about combining the excellent Cabernet Sauvignon grapes with Ole Smoky barrels, noting that this unique blend produces a full-bodied, bold flavor profile. This wine aims to allow people to experience and appreciate the rich flavors that come from aging in whiskey barrels.

Joe Baker, founder of Ole Smoky Distillery, echoed Brown's sentiments: "I have great respect for Zac and his work... it's a value we hold dear at Ole Smoky Distillery." He continued: "Using high-quality white oak whiskey barrels from Ole Smoky to age an already exceptional grape variety has created a Cabernet Sauvignon with its own unique character and story – one that will attract fans who appreciate craftsmanship and bold tastes."

Delicato Family Wines' Investment Portfolio Manager Andrew Blok highlighted their shared values as well: "Southern roots, family ownership, and commitment to community are common values between Zac Brown and Ole Smoky. Z. Alexander Brown Wines has become one of the top 20 domestic wine brands; their partnership with Ole Smoky will expand into hot categories and increase appeal among new consumers – both key growth drivers in today's fiercely competitive wine market."

The non-barrel-aged Cabernet Sauvignon by Alexander Brown is set for release nationwide on September 2023 at $22 per bottle. The whiskey barrel-aged red source comes from California vineyards known for their bold expression of flavors – defining Z. Alexander Brown’s “non-barrel” style wines which spend some time in selected barrels for at least three months before bottling.