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Gelson’s Markets expands roster of store-brand wines

Four new Gelson’s Wines join three-year-old collection

Russell Redman

October 29, 2020

2 Min Read
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The latest Gelson's Wines additions include three red and one white wine.Gelson's Markets

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

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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

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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