Latest drinks industry interviews

"US craft distillers are saying their calls aren't being returned" - just-drinks speaks to Distilled Spirits Council CEO Chris Swonger - Part II 21 Jan 2020

Olly Wehring

We have more from the Distilled Spirits Council! Following on from part one last week, the second part of our interview with DISCUS CEO Chris Swonger looks at the craft spirits segment in the US and updates us on what's keeping the trade association busy on the home front.

"It's still really hard for black and brown entrepreneurs to raise capital in CBD" - Tanisha Robinson, CEO of CBD beverage company W*nder 6 Nov 2019

Thandie Sibanda

Earlier this year, Tanisha Robinson quit her role as chief disruption officer at Scottish craft brewer BrewDog to create her own CBD-infused drinks brand. W*nder (pronounced 'wonder') is a CSD that contains vitamins and CBD to provide energy, focus and a "better life balance". Robinson credits herself as a black female CEO that has tapped into an industry that other ethnic minorities may never gain access to. This week, just-drinks spoke to Robinson to learn how her previous employment experiences have influenced her start-up and what the future holds for her CBD drinks brand ahead of next year's launch.

"The Constellation deal helps to take my choke-chain off" - just-drinks speaks to Montanya Distillers CEO Karen Hoskin 21 Oct 2019

Olly Wehring

Late last week, the co-founder & CEO of Montanya Distillers was in London for the city's annual Rum Week and Rumfest. Karen Hoskins found time to meet with just-drinks to look back at the history of the Colorado-based craft spirits company and to tell the story of Constellation Brand's stake purchase in July.

"We are already producing Champagne in a climate that's different from our fathers'" - just-drinks speaks to the Comite Champagne 9 Oct 2019

Andy Morton

The Champagne industry prides itself on being at the forefront of the climate change battle, producing in 2001 wine's first report on the effects a warming planet will have on growing and production. This week, Champagne's overseer, the Comité Champagne (CIVC), released its latest sustainability report, revealing that climate change is no longer a prospect on the horizon but is already having an effect on how Champagne is made. Earlier this week, just-drinks sat down with CIVC director of communications Thibaut Le Mailloux to talk about the threat of climate change and what needs to be done to protect Champagne.

"Not being in the American whiskey category has been something we wanted to change" - just-drinks speaks to Pernod Ricard CFO Helene de Tissot - Part II 19 Sep 2019

Olly Wehring

In the first part of our exclusive interview with Pernod Ricard CFO Hélène de Tissot, we learned more about her experiences in Asia and in M&A. Here, in part two, de Tissot discusses Kentucky Bourbon, Castle Brands, Chinese whiskey and Pernod's wine operations.

"We're looking for brands that can bring new growth opportunities to the group" - just-drinks speaks to Pernod Ricard CFO Helene de Tissot - Part I 17 Sep 2019

Olly Wehring

In late-August, Pernod Ricard reported its results for fiscal-2019, the 12 months to the end of June. Sales in the year rose by 6%, although the group's key US market came in flat. Earlier this month, just-drinks editor Olly Wehring sat down with CFO Hélène de Tissot in London, following the company's presentation on its most recent performance. In part one of this exclusive two-part interview, we look at de Tissot's experiences in Asia and in the M&A arena, and discuss some of the macro-economic challenges facing the likes of Pernod.

"The world has changed dramatically" - just-drinks speaks to Distell Group CEO Richard Rushton about fiscal-2019 5 Sep 2019

Olly Wehring

Late last week, South Africa's Distell Group reported a 9.4% lift in sales from the 12 months to the end of June. Following the results announcement, just-drinks caught up with the multi-category company's CEO, Richard Rushton.

Pernod Ricard's Chinese malt whisky distillery - just-drinks speaks to China MD Jean-Etienne Gourgues and Asia marketing head Tracy Kwan 29 Aug 2019

Andy Morton

Earlier today, Pernod Ricard unveiled plans to build a malt whisky distillery near Mount Emei, one of China's four sacred Buddhist peaks. The distillery is expected to start production in 2021, with the first product set to be released in 2023. just-drinks deputy editor Andy Morton spoke to Pernod's China MD, Jean-Etienne Gourgues, and Asia VP of marketing Tracy Kwan by phone from Emei to hear more about the project.

"We want to be the number one importer of French wine into Asia" - just-drinks speaks to Treasury Wine Estates CEO Michael Clarke - Part I 16 Aug 2019

Olly Wehring

Earlier this week, Treasury Wine Estates reported a healthy showing in the 12 months to the end of June, with group sales rising by 12% on the corresponding period a year earlier. just-drinks editor Olly Wehring caught up with group CEO Michael Clarke in a very early-morning call to Australia

"TWE could be an acquirer of other people's wine businesses" - just-drinks speaks to Treasury Wine Estates CEO Michael Clarke - Part II 16 Aug 2019

Olly Wehring

In part II of an exclusive interview, Treasury Wine Estates CEO Michael Clarke talks to just-drinks editory Olly Wehring about his ambitions in the US, the company's pricing strategy and aborted plans to launch a 19 Crimes whiskey.