Glasgow’s Jackton Distillery has experienced overwhelming demand for its new wine tasting events, with tickets selling out within hours of release. The scotch whisky producer launched the RAER Alliance wine range through an exclusive partnership with Domaine des Elettes vineyard in France’s Loire Valley.
The distillery announced a second wine experience event for August 9 after the first tasting sold out rapidly, creating a substantial waiting list. The event pairs the new wine collection with French cheeses and includes presentations from the distillery’s wine experts.
Jackton Distillery Responds to Growing UK Wine Trend
The RAER Alliance range takes its name from the historic Auld Alliance between Scotland and France. According to RAER Alliance director Peter East, the partnership addresses changing consumer preferences in the UK wine market.
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READ THE STORY“The modern UK wine customer is now looking to support local every time they buy – just look at the growing trend south of the border for English wine,” East said. He acknowledged Scotland’s climate limitations for viticulture, noting “we don’t exactly get Mediterranean weather in Glasgow” before praising French winemaker Sébastien Fricker for bringing “the French connection” to Scotland.
The collection features six wines from Domaine des Elettes, including an AOP Crémant de Loire sparkling wine. This Loire Valley alternative to Champagne uses hand-harvested grapes aged for twelve months in Inox vats. The wines retail exclusively through the distillery and select Glasgow and Edinburgh wine retailers, with limited annual bottle availability.
Jackton Distillery Expands Beyond Traditional Spirits
The partnership marks a significant diversification for Jackton Distillery, known primarily for its craft scotch whiskies and gins. The wine experience combines the distillery’s existing expertise in premium spirits with carefully selected French wines.
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East expressed confidence in the venture’s success, stating he was “not at all surprised that our first wine tasting completely sold out.” He described the offering as a “one-of-a-kind experience for whisky fans” and praised the wine quality.
The rapid sellout demonstrates whisky enthusiasts’ willingness to explore beyond traditional spirits categories. With English wine gaining market share across Britain, Scottish distilleries face unique challenges in developing local wine production due to climate constraints.
Tickets for the August 9 event remain available through Eventbrite for £15 pp. The partnership’s success suggests potential growth opportunities for other Scottish spirits producers seeking to diversify their portfolios while maintaining connections to local markets.
The wines’ exclusive distribution through Jackton Distillery and selected retailers creates scarcity that may drive continued consumer interest.
