Whale Islands Wines chooses Ann Arbor for Southeast Michigan debut

NEW ZEALAND-BORN • RESEALABLE • DESIGNED FOR MODERN LIFE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WHALE ISLANDS WINES CHOOSES ANN ARBOR FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN DEBUT

New Zealand-Born, Award-Winning Wine Brand Finds a Natural Home in a City Known for Culture, Innovation and the Outdoors

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — August 2026 — What does a New Zealand-born wine brand built around adventure, innovation and a less traditional way of enjoying wine have in common with Ann Arbor?

Quite a lot.

Whale Islands Wines is officially arriving in Southeast Michigan through O&W, Inc., bringing its distinctive 300ml resealable aluminum wine bottles to retailers, restaurants, bars and venues throughout the greater Ann Arbor market and surrounding communities.

For Steve Almaraz, President of MWI USA, coming to Ann Arbor was intentional.

“I wanted Whale Islands to come to Michigan, and especially Ann Arbor, because the city has so much of what our brand stands for,” Almaraz said. “You have this incredible combination of unique urban culture, one of the world’s great universities, a strong sense of community and an outdoor lifestyle that is part of everyday life. That consumer — curious, active, social and willing to discover something new — is really the signature Whale Islands fan.”

The brand launches with two wines: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and French Red Blend, packaged in Whale Islands’ signature 300ml resealable aluminum bottle.

The format provides approximately two glasses of wine and can be opened, enjoyed and resealed for later — creating a very different experience from the traditional wine bottle.

It is lightweight, recyclable and eliminates the need for glass, making Whale Islands particularly suited for the places Michigan consumers spend their time: parks, lakes, boats, patios, golf courses, concerts, outdoor gatherings, sporting events, travel and casual social occasions.

“Michigan has this tremendous connection to the outdoors and the water,” Almaraz said. “You can spend an afternoon hiking, boating or at the lake and still want something better than the traditional beverage choices available in those settings. That is exactly the space Whale Islands was created for.”

AWARD-WINNING PACKAGING

Whale Islands arrives in Michigan following recent recognition at the 2026 PRF Awards, where the brand earned Gold and Double Gold honors for package design.

The awards recognize what has become one of the defining elements of Whale Islands: packaging that is not simply different for the sake of being different, but designed around how and where people increasingly want to enjoy wine.

“Our package starts conversations, but the functionality is what really matters,” Almaraz said. “You can have one glass, reseal it and keep the rest for later. You don’t have to carry glass. You don’t need a corkscrew. And suddenly there are a lot more places where enjoying a good glass of wine makes sense.”

MICHIGAN PARTNER WITH DEEP LOCAL ROOTS

Whale Islands selected O&W, Inc. as its Southeast Michigan partner, joining forces with a fifth-generation family-owned company with deep roots in the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor communities.

O&W, Inc. is led by President Kit Wanty-Lambert, with the next generation of the Wanty family continuing to play an active role in the company, including its marketing leadership.

For Whale Islands, that independent and locally connected approach was an important part of the decision.

“O&W, Inc. understands this community in a way you only get from generations of being part of it,” Almaraz said. “They know the retailers, the restaurants and, importantly, the consumers. We wanted a partner who could help us build the brand account by account rather than simply put another item into a warehouse.”

“Ann Arbor and Southeast Michigan consumers have always been receptive to products that combine quality, innovation and a great story,” said Kit Wanty-Lambert, President of O&W, Inc. “Whale Islands brings something very different to the wine category, and we see exciting opportunities for the brand across both retail and on-premise accounts.”

NOT ANOTHER WINE BOTTLE

Whale Islands was created around a straightforward idea: consumers’ lifestyles have evolved, but wine packaging has changed very little.

Rather than competing solely for space beside traditional 750ml bottles, Whale Islands is focused on creating new occasions for wine.

“We aren’t asking consumers to stop buying their favorite bottle of wine,” Almaraz said. “We want to be the wine they grab when they’re heading to the lake, meeting friends at an outdoor event, spending the afternoon on a patio or simply don’t want to open a full bottle. That is why Ann Arbor feels like such a great place to introduce Whale Islands.”

Whale Islands Wines will begin rolling out to licensed accounts throughout O&W, Inc.’s Southeast Michigan territory.

ABOUT WHALE ISLANDS WINES

Whale Islands Wines is a New Zealand-born wine brand combining premium wine with innovative packaging designed for today’s active and social consumer. The brand’s signature 300ml resealable aluminum package provides approximately two glasses of wine in a portable, lightweight and recyclable format. The U.S. portfolio currently includes New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and French Red Blend.

ABOUT O&W DISTRIBUTING

O&W, Inc. is a fifth-generation, family-owned beverage distributor headquartered in Ypsilanti, Michigan. With deep roots in the Ann Arbor area and Southeast Michigan, O&W, Inc. provides distribution and market support to licensed retailers and suppliers throughout its territory with a focus on its employees, customers and local communities.

MEDIA & TRADE INQUIRIES

Steve Almaraz
President, MWI USA / Whale Islands Wines
805-331-8069

O&W Distributing
Jamie Wanty-Keeder
734-480-4012

###