Quaker City Mercantile and E. & J. Gallo Launch Portfolio of American-made Aperitifs
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – With ingredients plainly inscribed on the bottle, Lo-Fi Aperitifs are a refreshing take on a traditional offering. Each Lo-Fi product is a blend of high quality California wine and cold-extracted whole botanicals for a classic taste with modern flair.
This delicious combination of old and new has been made possible because of the collaboration between 82-year-old, family-owned and -operated E. & J. Gallo Winery and forward-thinking Quaker City Mercantile, the Philadelphia-based creator of three of the most inventive spirit brands over the last 15 years.
“We developed Lo-Fi as a creative tool for bartenders, and to us, San Francisco is the perfect place to launch these aperitifs,” explained Steven Grasse, CEO of Quaker City Mercantile. “Every liquid we make tastes good on its own or used generously in a cocktail.”
Slated to begin with a Sweet Vermouth, Dry Vermouth and Gentian Amaro, Lo-Fi will launch this fall in select San Francisco bars and restaurants.
“Back in the day, a martini was expected to be 1Ž2 spirit to 1Ž2 vermouth and we’re excited to offer aperitifs that are delicious enough to bring back those old-school proportions,” added Anna Bell, Marketing Director for for E. & J. Gallo.
Each Lo-Fi aperitif is made at E. & J. Gallo’s Northern California facility by taking a modern approach to a classic beverage offering.
“For some time, I have wanted to create a line of American wine-based aperitifs designed to go with American craft spirits and craft cocktails,” recounted Grasse. “I reached out to E. & J. Gallo Winery because of their generational expertise and because I like to work with family companies. They’ve been a superb creative partner and have been immersed in every step of the process.”
About E. & J. Gallo® Winery
Founded by brothers Ernest and Julio Gallo in 1933 in Modesto, California, E. & J. Gallo Winery is the world’s largest family-owned winery and the acclaimed producer of award-winning wines and spirits featured in more than 90 countries around the globe. A pioneer in the art of grape growing, winemaking, sustainable practices, marketing and worldwide distribution, Gallo crafts and imports wines and spirits to suit a diverse range of tastes and occasions, from everyday offerings to boutique, luxury bottlings.
Quaker City Mercantile
A hybrid of 19th century mercantilism and 21st century brand artistry. Quaker City Mercantile creates brands from the ground up and brings them to market. This includes all aspects of manufacturing, distribution and marketing. Steve Grasse, founder of QCM, has created breakthrough products including Hendricks Gin, Sailor Jerry Rum and Art in the Age Spirits. He also spearheaded the wildly successful rebranding of Narragansett Beer. Steven believes in creating enduring brands and products with rich backstories that people can truly care about.
