The second annual Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative (RILOC) Golf Classic was held at Cranston Country Club on June 3. The event, which brought together suppliers, wholesalers and retailers, featured more than 120 golfers who also enjoyed product tastings and a dinner awards ceremony in the club’s ballroom. RILOC Board Member Nicole Gasbarro and Executive Director Nick Fede Jr. hosted the event. “Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our industry has gotten away from our sense of community,” said Fede. “Hosting events like this brings us all together. It reminds us how wonderful this industry is and how many good people we have in all three tiers. All of us at RILOC are blessed with excellent relationships not only with one another, but with our supplier and wholesale partners. We could not do what we do without their support.” Sponsors included Diageo; Charles Jacquin et Cie., Inc.; Boston Beer Company; Pernod Ricard; Gallo; William Grant & Sons; Riboli Family Wines; Gin & Juice; Tito’s Handmade Vodka; Constellation Brands; Sazerac Company; Prestige Beverage Group; Mass Bay Brewing Company; Narragansett Beer; Anheuser-Busch; Beam Suntory; Heaven Hill Brands; Bacardi USA; Patrón; Jackson Family Wines; J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines; The Wine Group; Foley Family Wines; Molson-Coors; Brown-Forman; Delicato Family Vineyards; Palm Bay International; Rhode Island Beverage Journal; International Association of Fire Fighters; Star Waste Systems; and Dimitri Law Offices. Food was crafted throughout by the club’s food and beverage team helmed by Vin Martucci. The RILOC team works on behalf of package store owners on industry issues within each legislative session and offers industry meetings, conferences and events throughout the year.
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- Rhode Island Liquor Operators Collaborative (RILOC) Golf Classic Co-hosts Nick Fede Jr., Executive Director and Nicole Gasbarro, Board Member, RILOC and Owner, Phil Gasbarro Liquors.
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- All of Horizon Beverage except where indicated: Daryl Chabot, General Manager, Wine Marketing; Jack Nolin, RI State Manager, Bacardi; Samantha Romano, Brand Ambassador; Kelly Willis, Brand Ambassador; Ryan Harrington, Regional Sales Director, Charles Jacquin et Cie., Inc.; Bob Swartz, President; and Jose Francisco, Sales Manager.
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- Phil Correia, General Manager, Allen’s Wine & Spirits; James Campagna, Executive Chef, Blackstone Caterers; Dave Tunget, Owner, Blackstone Caterers; and Alex Allen, Owner, Allen’s Wine & Spirits.
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- Bill Cerrito, Horizon Beverage; Joe Marino, Boulder Cottages; Paul Velino, Sales Representative, McLaughlin & Moran, Inc.; and Moe Soares, Sales, Horizon Beverage – Wayne division.
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- Maci Lloyd, Classics Regions Manager, Jackson Family Wines.
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- Bobby Sheehan, Beyond Beer Manager, Anheuser-Busch; Rich Pepitas, Anheuser-Busch; Ryan Wolstencroft, Sales Supervisor, McLaughlin & Moran, Inc.; and Bob Cavanaugh, Director of Sales, McLaughlin & Moran, Inc.
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- Beacon Brand Solutions Brand Ambassadors Piper Ward and Karyn Bazzano for Tito’s Handmade Vodka.
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- All of William Grant & Sons except where indicated: Mike Boughton, On-Premise District Manager – MA; Curtis York, Off-Premise District Manager – MA/RI; Mike York, Owner, Brewster Bar; Elena Giammarco, Area Manager – MA/RI; and Heather Goroni, Promotions, Tullamore D.E.W.
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- All of Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division except where indicated: Joe Morenzi, General Sales Manager; Nicole Eacuello, Partner, The Savory Grape; David Aiello, Sales Representative; and Tom Becker, General Manager Fine Wine.
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- Zach Brassard, The Trap North; Ryan Powers, Delivery and Inventory Coordinator, Gasbarro’s Wines; Morgan Macia, Food and Beverage Programs Director, The Martucci Group; and Nils Weldy, Executive Director, RI Brewers Guild.
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- All of Palm Bay International except where indicated: Scott Gayman, Area Manager; Jason Birkett, General Manager Corporate Wine, Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division; James Lane; and Anthony Rubbicco, Northeast Regional Chain Director.
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- James Fede, Product Specialist, Kingstown Liquor Mart and Nick Fede Jr., Executive Director, RILOC.
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- Matt Snyder, Division Vice President, Jackson Family Wines; Keith Miranda, Director of Sales, MS Walker; Michael Hogan, I.M. Gan Discount Liquors; and John Hogan, Owner, I.M. Gan Discount Liquors.
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- Michael Lester, On-Premise Sales and Crafts Spirits Manager, MS Walker; Tony Colavecchio, Sales and Distribution, Sons of Liberty Beer & Spirits Co.; Al Babb, Kingstown Liquor Mart; and Jamie Matos, Co-owner, Lincoln Liquors.
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- Vishal Modi, Owner, Alpine Wine & Spirits; Brittney Melo, Brand Ambassador, Heaven Hill Brands; Ray Arruda, Sales Strategy and Portfolio Manager, MS Walker; Max Homa, Player, PGA Tour; and Trevor McCombe, Area Sales Manager – RI, Delicato Family Vineyards.
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- Jack Kavanaugh, Regional Sales Director – Northeast, Gin & Juice; Chuck Mattera, Off-Premise Territory Manager, Beam Suntory; Dan Blais, Portfolio Specialist, Horizon Beverage; and Matt Reay, President, Wickford Package Store.
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- Patrick Brown, Johnson Brothers of Rhode Island; Ryan Catullo, General Manager, Chepachet Village Wine & Spirits; Kevin Kitson, Owner, Chepachet Village Wine & Spirits; and Amos Shepard, Allied Beverage Council.
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- All from Mancini Beverage: Tim Poulin, Retail Account Specialist; Bryan Madeiros, Tito’s Brand Development Manager; Jacob Sullivan, Sales Analyst; and Matt Guindon, Pernod Ricard Trade Development Manager.
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- Adam Kairnes, Bartender, The Capital Grille; Vito Lantz, Co-owner, Lucky Enough Eat & Drink; Tom Short, Sales Representative, MS Walker; and Art Chamberland, Co-owner, Lucky Enough Eat & Drink.
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- Rob Maglione, Narragansett Beer; Jim Crooks, VP of Sales, Narragansett Beer; Chris Maloney, Brewery Representative, Mass Bay Brewing Company; and Mike Fraioli, Sales Manager, Mass Bay Brewing Company.
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- Max Couto, Market Development Representative, Sazerac; Rob Kiernan, Market Development Manager, Sazerac; Jody Vento, Director of Trade Development, Mancini Beverage; and Vanessa Brown, Portfolio Manager, Mancini Beverage.
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- Nick Fede Jr., Executive Director, RILOC; Ilesh Patel, Owner, Jamestown Wine & Spirits; Rich Raboin, District Sales Manager, Mancini Beverage – Rhode Island Distributing division; and Ron Pariseau, Manager, Wyoming Package Store.
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- All of William Grant & Sons except where indicated: Mike York, Owner, Brewster Bar; Michael Boughton, On-Premise District Manager – MA; Elena Giammarco, Area Manager – MA/RI; and Curtis York, Off-Premise District Manager – MA/RI.
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- Diageo Brand Ambassadors showcasing Don Julio Reposado Tequila on Don Julio’s Margarita Pavilion.
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- High Noon Sun Sips Hard Tea.
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- On The Rocks Ready to Drink Cocktails The Mai Tai featuring Cruzan Rum.
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- Roaster’s Daughter Espresso Martini.
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- Don Julio’s Classic Margarita.
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- Patrón El Cielo Tequila, Bacardi Mojito Cocktails and Cazadores Spicy Margarita Cocktails.
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- Elijah Craig Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey.
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- Tequila Ocho Reposado.
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- Nick Fede Jr., Executive Director, RILOC and Chris Martin, Sales, Boston Beer Company.
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- Traveller Whiskey presented by Sazerac.
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- Sazerac Brand Ambassadors Kim Discher and Kelly Fernald showcasing Traveller Whiskey and Sabrina Biggins.
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- All of Ocean Mist except where indicated: Kevin MacIntyre; a Brand Ambassador showcasing High West Bourbon; Patrick McMullen; Henry Gilmartin; and Liam McMullen.
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- The Rhode Island Beverage Journal was an event media sponsor.
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- Monique Cabral, Brand Ambassador showcasing Spritz del Conte Classico and Jim Lynch, Regional Manager, Riboli Family Wines highlighting Spritz del Conte Non Alcoholic.
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- Spritz del Conte Non Alcoholic, Riva de la Rosa Vermentino and Riva de la Rosa Frascati.
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- Tullamore D.E.W. Honey Irish Whiskey Liqueur.
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- A pour of Spritz del Conte Non Alcoholic.
Photos by Laura Widness.
