E&J Gallo snaps up California’s Germain-Robin brandy

US-based wine company E&J Gallo has bought California’s “first” luxury brandy brand – Germain-Robin – founded in 1982.

Hubert Germain-Robin

Germain-Robin was established following a chance encounter in 1981 between Ansley J. Coale Jr and Hubert Germain-Robin of the Jules Robin family, Cognac producers since 1782.

The pair established Germain-Robin a year later, producing brandy using traditional craft distillation techniques and Cognac and Armagnac grape varieties, grown in California, but also non-traditional varietals such as Pinot Noir and Zinfandel.

“For decades, Germain-Robin has struggled to place brandy distilled from California wine where it belongs: a category, long overlooked, in fact worthy of inclusion at all levels among the world’s finest spirits,” said founder Ansley Coale.

“We hope — indeed intend — that our unique knowledge and capabilities, supported and augmented by, and carefully integrated into, Gallo’s deep experience and powerful resources in both production and marketing, will help bring brandy from California the recognition it so richly deserves.”

Gallo’s acquisition includes the Germain-Robin brand, its inventory of aged and ageing brandies and all finished goods.

Ansley Coale and Joseph Corley, Hubert’s apprentice and current Germain-Robin distiller and cellarmaster, will remain involved production following the acquisition.