Gelson’s Markets expands roster of store-brand wines

The own-brand wine collection at Southern California grocer Gelson’s Markets just got bigger.

Gelson’s said Thursday that the Gelson’s Wines lineup now includes four new bottlings: Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2018, Reserve Cabernet Franc Oakville 2018 and Red Cuvée Napa Valley 2018 red wines and Reserve Sauvignon Blanc Rutherford 2019 white wine.

All of the new Gelson’s Wines are made via the Encino, Calif.-based chain’s ongoing collaboration winemaker Julien Fayard, who was named 2016 Winemaker of the Year by online wine marketplace Wine Spectrum. The four wines will be available at all 27 Gelson’s stores across the Southland region.

The single-vineyard, Bordeaux-style Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Coombsville 2018 was created exclusively for Gelson’s by Fayard, the retailer said. 

“We feel very honored to work with Julien again. He is a renowned winemaker, with an outstanding reputation from his early work with Lafite Rothschild and Smith Haut Lafitte in his native France, to the last dozen years earning respect across Napa Valley,” commented John Bagan, chief merchandising officer at Gelson’s. “We are constantly seeking out the best products from the best producers and are excited that Gelson’s will continue to make superior quality wines from Julien available exclusively to thousands of our wine-loving customers across Southern California.”

Related:Giant Food of Landover introduces 'Artie,' a private label line of whimsical wines

All of the new Gelson’s Wines are made via the chain’s ongoing collaboration with renowned vintner Julien Fayard.

On Nov. 10, Gelson’s plans to hold a Zoom virtual wine presentation with Fayard, who will share his knowledge and experience with participants. The latest Gelson’s Wines offerings mark his third collaboration with the grocer.

“It has always been my goal to produce exceptional wines, and that striving for excellence in all areas resonates with the long history of Gelson’s, and a customer who appreciate the finest products,” Fayard said in a statement.

Gelson’s launched its own-brand fine wine collection in September 2017, starting with four Santa Barbara County red wines (pinot noir, Grenache, Syrah and Sangiovese) and one white (chardonnay) created exclusively for the chain by local winemaker and Wine Spectator Grand Award winner Doug Margerum. Then in September 2018, Gelson’s added a 2017 cabernet sauvignon and a 2017 Mayfair white Rhône blend from Margerum, as well as a 2017 rosé from Fayard, which represented the vintner’s first-ever collaboration with a supermarket chain.

A dozen of Gelson’s 27 stores house wine bars, where customers can sample or sit down and enjoy a glass of wine from the retailer’s wide selection, including its store-brand varieties. All of the wine bars are currently closed, however, as part of Gelson’s COVID-19 safety measures.

Related:BJ’s Wholesale Club serves up premium private-label liquor