In the fallout over the demise of Billington Wines, there is at least some good news: Alfredo Bartholomaus, the 
company’s
founder and a joyful bon vivant, will not be slipping away into full
retirement just yet. Leonardo LoCascio, president of Winebow, informs me
that Don Alfredo will join the new division Winebow is setting up to
represent former Billington brands. While Alfredo’s son, Alex (at left
in the photo, with his father), is likely to head the division, the
elder Bartholomaus will serve as a consultant and brand ambassador,
leading trade and media trips to South America and representing the
brands before the press, much as he has done over the past several
years. So those of us who know and love Alfredo can still look forward
to pisco sours, poetry recitals, and lots of good South American wine.
You can read my full report on the closure of Billington Wines on The Washington Post Food section blog, All We Can Eat.
I think Billington’s putting all their eggs in one basket by having
Catena as such a huge customer was its undoing. They were not broad
ranging or diversified enough. Truth be told, there also were plenty of
mediocre wines Billington should have dropped a long time back. Still,
Alfredo is a great guy and I wish him great success.