March 13, 2018 – LOS ANGELES Thomson & Scott, creator of Skinny Champagne and Skinny Prosecco, has formed a strategic partnership with US wine wholesaler and distributor, Handcrafted Wine & Spirits, to manage its launch into select US markets across the next 12-18 months. Thomson & Scott has hired public relations, marketing and wine expert, Devin Parr, to represent the company for the launch.
Parr has over 15 years of experience in public relations and marketing and is the Founder and Managing Partner of Devin Parr & Associates, which currently oversees wine marketing for Temecula Valley Southern California Wine Country and several other clients in the wine and wellness space. She holds a WSET Level 3 certification and has been named one of Wine Enthusiast Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 Tastemakers.
Parr previously managed sales for an Italian importer and distributor in New York City and served as the wine director and general manager of several wine stores in Manhattan, focussing on small production, personality-driven wines.
Amanda Thomson, CEO & Founder of Thomson & Scott says, “Devin joins our launch into the US at a crucial time, bringing incredible knowledge, energy and most importantly, a politely disruptive vision. We are breaking many moulds in the wine business and I can’t think of anyone better equipped to carry our mission of greater transparency in wine and wine labelling out across the country.”
“I am thrilled to partner with Thomson & Scott and Handcrafted Wines to introduce one of the most compelling brands I’ve come across in a long time. I know American wine lovers will connect with Amanda’s mission, as I have,” says Devin Parr. “The US wine market is in a really exciting place right now, with consumers demanding more from the brands they choose, and companies uncovering dynamic ways to re-shape the competitive landscape.”
Thomson & Scott will officially launch in Texas in May 2018 and in California this summer. Consumers outside of these areas will be able to purchase the portfolio of Champagne and Prosecco online at www.thomsonandscott.com in the US in the coming months. Consumers can subscribe to get notifications for availability in their city and state.
About Thomson & Scott
Thomson & Scott took the U.K. by storm in 2016 when it demanded that consumers should know exactly what was in their wine bottle. They launched Thomson & Scott Skinny Prosecco, which boasted less than half the sugar of traditional prosecco, was made from 100 percent organic grapes and was vegan certified. The company’s first product was a no added sugar Grand Cru Champagne that it launched in 2013. Thomson & Scott Skinny Champagne was a huge hit with consumers looking to drink delicious bubbles but cut all the unnecessary sugar from the production process. Skinny Prosecco instantly became the best-selling wine in Selfridges.
Amanda Thomson is the passionate CEO and Founder of Thomson & Scott, winner of the EY Winning Women 2017 and the Le Cordon Bleu Entrepreneur of the Year 2017.
About Handcrafted Wine & Spirits
Founded in 1996, Handcrafted Wine & Spirits is a family owned and operated wine and spirits distribution, sales, and import company with locations in Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri and Oregon. The Handcrafted ownership team brings more than a century of fine wine experience to bear on the industry. The Handcrafted team has experience not only in owning and running successful fine wine distributorships, but also possess deep financial acumen, and, unusual for a wine distributorship, extensive experience in wine grape farming and winemaking. Additionally, the Handcrafted team has worked at senior-most levels on the supplier side for both small, luxury wine brands as well as larger commercial wine brands.
