E. & J. Gallo Winery is already a global player in the wine industry, and their recent purchase of the Locations brand has made that world even bigger. Following quickly on the heels of high profile purchases in California, Gallo announced in late June that it has agreed to purchase Locations, a joint venture between innovator and winemaker Dave Phinney and importer Aveníu Brands.
According to a statement from Gallo, “Locations is based on the simple concept of crafting wines that pay homage to a place of origin,” and that simple concept, along with its eye-catching design aesthetic, has caught on with American consumers.
Locations got its start thanks to Phinney and a 2008 visit he made to the Maury appellation in the South of France, which inspired him to create the finest wine possible from different grape varieties throughout a region.
As of 2018, Locations pays tribute to France, Spain, Italy, Argentina, California, New Zealand, Oregon, Washington state, Portugal, Corsica and Texas.
Gallo’s Senior Vice President and General Manager of the Premium Wine Division, Roger Nabedian, praised Phinney’s vision and tireless work in a statement from Gallo. "Dave [Phinney] propels innovation to the highest levels by challenging the conventional way of doing things,” he said, “and removing the barrier of rules in winemaking."
He added, "We are excited to continue working with the talented and creative Dave Phinney, who will stay on as winemaker for Locations. This purchase supports Gallo's mission to participate and excel in all segments of the wine market."
Phinney added his support and enthusiasm for the deal, saying "I am proud to continue my partnership with the Gallo family," and "I'm excited to continue building upon the momentum of the Locations vision by creating simple, complex and fun wines by removing the constraints of vintage, varietal and appellation to make the best possible wine from a given country or location."