Popular nonalcoholic cocktail brand purchased by Wine Group with Ripon facility
The Wine Group — the second-largest producer of wine and adult beverages behind E.&J. Gallo Winery — has purchased Phony Negroni, a nonalcoholic beverage line from St. Agrestis. The Livermore-based company has 10 California operations including in Ripon, Madera and Fresno.
The St. Agrestis portfolio features Italian-inspired beverages found in over 7,000 retail stores, bars and restaurants across the U.S., according to a news release. Amaro Falso is also part of the purchase.
Phony Negroni is a ready-to-serve mocktail made with carbonated water, cane sugar and botanicals. Flavors include Phony Negroni, Phony Mezcal Negroni, Phony Espresso Negroni and Phony White Negroni.
“St. Agrestis successfully targeted the non-alcohol trend with their popular Phony Negroni non-alc cocktails,” said John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group, in a statement. “The brand fits perfectly within our portfolio as we continue to meet consumers where they are — whether they want to enjoy an alc- or non-alc beverage at a restaurant, bar or at home.”
Phony Negroni will continue to be produced out of the existing St. Agrestis facility in Brooklyn, N.Y., for the next 12 months while The Wine Group prepares to bring production to one of its facilities, a representative for the company said. The Wine Group’s largest production facility is along Highway 120 northeast of Ripon.
St. Agrestis’ founder and its leaders will remain involved in the business “for the near term,” the news release said.
Where to find Phony Negroni in Stanislaus County
There are four retail stores in Stanislaus County that sell Phony Negroni, according to St. Agrestis website:
- BevMo - 2301 Claribel Road, Riverbank
- BevMo - 3218 Countryside Drive, Turlock
- Target - 3405 McHenry Ave., Modesto
- Target - 3900 Sisk Road, Modesto
This story was originally published May 4, 2026 at 5:25 PM.
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