LAKE BLUFF, IL (March 25, 2024) – Established in 1938, fourth generation family-owned and operated Terlato Wine Group has announced a new partnership with Gabriel Boudier (part of Famille Piffaut Vins & Domaines), distillers of France’s historic Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur. Effective April 1, 2024, Terlato Wine Group becomes Fontbonne’s exclusive sales and marketing agent in the United States.
Fontbonne & Cie was founded in 1874 by Jean Fontbonne. A dynamic entrepreneur who prided himself on the various specialties of his “Fabrique de grandes liqueurs”. From its inception, Fontbonne crafted several highly successful aperitifs — all boasting the Fontbonne family name — and was awarded a string of high-profile medals at international trade fairs. In the twilight of his illustrious career and inspired by the success of his earlier inventions, Jean unveiled his last opus — Fontbonne Verte.
This elixir was masterfully crafted as a testament to Fontbonne’s unwavering dedication to the art of botanical distillation. Each ingredient was chosen to create a harmonious symphony of flavors designed to “dance on the palate and linger as a cherished memory” and represented the epitome of Fontbonne’s expertise. This highly successful product became an unspoken legacy and a closely guarded treasure, passed down to his son, René Louis. Regrettably, the lore of this creation was lost in the annals of history, concealed by the passing of time and forgotten in the house’s books during the eventual sale of the company a few years later.
Fast forward to current time, the historically significant recipe of Fontbonne Verte has been reawakened as Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur, reviving the rich history of this important ancestral house. Natural and authentic, Maison Fontbonne, the sole producer, distills twenty-six plants, roots and spices in Dijon to create this unique liqueur whose production process has remained a secret since 1874. These meticulously selected botanicals express a liqueur that is powerful and harmonious yet refined and balanced.
Bill Terlato, President and CEO of Terlato Wine Group commented, “We were deeply honored when the Piffaut family contacted us to represent such a highly regarded and historical product. Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur delivers exceptional quality and superior flavor within the category and being new to the US market, offers significant opportunity for growth. We are confident every mixologist will taste and experiment with this unique product.”
Appealing to the eye, Fontbonne boasts a pale but intense green color, reminiscent of the plants from which it is made. The Aroma is powerful and complex revealing herbaceous, woodsy, spicy notes. On the palate you experience beautiful freshness with expressions of aniseed, menthol, cinnamon and floral notes. Fontbonne is ideal for filling the gap in demand for an authentic French herbal liqueur.
Perfect for on-premise, the eye-catching packaging utilizes legacy design in a modern, elegant bottle that leaps off the shelf. The textured, artisan label denotes the all-natural botanicals. The innovative integrated speed pouring design will be convenient for both the on-premise and home mixologists alike.
Fontbonne Herbal Liqueur will be available in the US in April and retails for $59.99.
Terlato’s Spirits have experienced double digit growth over the last year and currently outpace the market by 14 percentage points (Total SipSource Depletion Volume, L12M ending 1/31/24). This partnership amplifies Terlato’s long-term commitment to the spirits sector as they continue to build their impressive artisanal spirits portfolio.
TERLATO WINES has a portfolio of more than 85 wine and spirit brands from world-class producers in more than a dozen countries and is the leading fine wine marketer in restaurants. For more information, please visit www.terlato.com. A full list of Terlato’s world-class brands can be found here.
FONTBONNE: For more information on Fontbonne and to view recipe ideas, please click here.
FAMILLE PIFFAUT VINS & DOMAINES gathers the properties of the Piffaut Family, meaning Veuve Ambal, the reference of Crémant de Bourgogne; Prosper Maufoux, makers of fine Burgundy Wines at Château de Saint-Aubin; Maison André Delorme, specialist in terroir Crémant de Bourgogne at Rully; Rivarose, sparkling wine producer in Provence; Belenium, iconic craft brewery in Beaune and Gabriel Boudier, exceptional liqueur producer in Dijon.
GABRIEL BOUDIER SPIRITS: Gabriel Boudier’s expertise has enabled the Dijon-based company to win numerous awards and establish its international reputation
- 3 Trophies for Best Liqueur Producer
- ISW 2 Gold Medals
- Exceptional Gold Medal Trophée de la Liqueur
- 2 Gold Medals L.A. Spirits Award
- IWSC – Gold Medal for Liqueur Producer
- Crème de Cassis: voted Best Spirit in the World
