Ohza, a line of ready-to-drink (RTD) sparkling wine cocktails based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has secured $4 million in additional funding.
The beverage company, which recently teamed up with Southern Glazer’s and Breakthru Beverage, two of the largest alcohol distributors in the nation, will use the funds to support its new distribution partnerships. Ohza also plans to widen its reach by investing aggressively in its direct-to-consumers sales program.
Investment for Growth
The round of funding is headed by CircleUp Growth Partners, along with participation from Branch Venture Group, Riverside Ventures, Ruttenberg Gordon Investments and the founder and CEO of 10K Projects, Elliot Grainge.
Existing investors including Austin Rosen, the founder of music management label Electric Feel, were also part of the new round of funding.
“CircleUp seeks to partner with entrepreneurs building innovative, disruptive products primed for growth,” stated Pat Robinson, General Partner at CircleUp Growth Partners.
“Ohza uniquely delivers on what consumers are looking for in the emerging ready to drink cocktail category – better for you ingredient attributes while retaining a full flavor experience,” said Robinson. “We are excited to partner with Ryan and Ohza as they rapidly expand distribution and build a leader in the ready-to-drink cocktail category.”
Ohza was founded by its CEO, Ryan Ayotte.
Management Moves
Ohza, one of the “top four canned cocktail compan[ies]” in the country according to USA Today, is setting itself up for future success. Along with its new funding and a distribution deal that has fostered the brand’s expansion into states like Arizona, California, Florida and Georgia, the company has also made some strategic management moves.
Ohza recently welcomed two new additions into its fold, Matt Giese and Jeff Janisse, both of whom bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to the table. Giese is Ohza’s new Executive Vice President of Sales, and previously worked with alcohol beverage powerhouses Constellation Brands and Diageo. Janisse, Ohza’s newly appointed National Accounts Director, comes from a similar position at PRESS Hard Seltzer.
“I’m thrilled to have such a strong team of investors and employees behind Ohza as we build it into the leading canned cocktail brand in the US,” said Ayotte. “When you factor in our unique capabilities, omni-channel presence, market positioning, and portfolio strategy, it’s clear we’ve only just begun to scratch the surface of Ohza’s capabilities.”
Brand Lineup
The premium RTD mimosa company, which is committed to “bring[ing] a taste of brunch wherever you wander,” offers four bubbly flavors including Classic Mimosa, Mango Mimosa, Peach Bellini and its newest holiday-inspired flavor, Cranberry Mimosa. Each 12 ounce can contains between 130-140 calories, an ABV of 5% and real juice. The Classic flavor is made with 100% real orange juice.
Ohza canned cocktails are vegan and gluten free and they contain up to 80% less sugar than a typical homemade version. On Ohza’s website the canned cocktails are sold in 12 and 24-can orders of individual flavors as well as 12 and 24-can Mango Variety Packs and Cranberry Variety Packs.
The beverages can also be found in 4-packs of individual flavors as well as in a newly launched retail-exclusive variety pack in alcohol retail locations.
According to the company, 12 cans of Ohza are equal to mixing “4 champagne bottles of bubbly” and 2 cartons of juice and can easily be enjoyed “on a boat, at the pool, the apres ski, or kickin’ it by the campfire.” Technically Ohza is not made with champagne, as its bubbly does not come from the Champagne region of France, but it is made with premium sparkling wine.
“Consumers love that we’re making authentic, portable mimosas and bellinis, but the magic really lies in the fact that we’ve created a ‘better-for-you’ version that’s allowing them to trade up on flavor compared to hard seltzer, yet have a relatively similar calorie count,” Ayotte explained. “This is what’s really enabling us to scale and garner such excitement in a competitive category. Ohza enables consumers to trade up on quality and flavor, without any of the tradeoffs.”
Celebrity Investors
Ohza teamed up with several celebrity investors who will also act as brand ambassadors for the line of canned cocktails. The brand’s new famous faces include high profile athletes such as soccer sensation and Olympic gold medalist Kelley O’Hara as well as NBA icons Chandler Parsons and Dominique Wilkins. The star-studded lineup also includes recording artist Iann Dior, who is known for his single “Mood” and the album “I’m Gone,” both of which were chart-topping successes.
Investors are eager to watch Ohza grow.
As Ohza continues to make a name for itself in the expanding RTD market the company encourages its fans to “make everyday a celebration.”
- Seltzer Category Expanded for 2022 Craft Beer Marketing Awards - February 11, 2022
- Drifter Expands Portfolio with Nordic-Style Gin - January 18, 2022
- Tilray Acquires Green Flash and Alpine Beer - December 22, 2021
