The News
Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters has announced a limited release Napa Valley red blend finished in Larceny Bourbon barrels, created through a collaboration between the two brands. The product is described as having warm caramel, butterscotch, and toasty oak notes, with Larceny’s wheated bourbon mashbill contributing to its softer profile. The release was announced on March 19, 2026 in Ripon, CA.
The Takeaway
- Bourbon Barrel Aging Trend: Cooper & Thief is capitalizing on the growing trend of using whiskey barrels for wine aging, which adds complexity and depth to their products. This collaboration highlights how luxury wine brands are experimenting with unconventional methods to stand out in a competitive market.
- Wheated Bourbon Influence: Larceny Bourbon’s use of wheat instead of rye gives it a softer, rounder flavor that pairs well with the red blend, showing how different bourbon mashbills can influence the final product. This partnership emphasizes how whiskey and wine are increasingly influencing each other in unexpected ways.
- Luxury Wine Innovation: As the top luxury bourbon barrel-aged wine brand in the US, Cooper & Thief is reinforcing its reputation by pushing boundaries. The collaboration with Larceny Bourbon demonstrates a deliberate effort to attract both traditional whiskey lovers and adventurous wine drinkers looking for something new.
Original Press Release
RIPON, CA – March 19, 2026 — Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters today announces a new collaboration with Kentucky-based Larceny Bourbon. The Cooper & Thief x Larceny Napa Valley Red Blend is a limited release wine finished in Larceny’s signature wheated bourbon barrels. This unique finishing process creates complex whiskey-driven aromas and imparts notes of warm caramel, butterscotch, and toasty oak. Known for doing things differently with its portfolio of spirits barrel-aged wines, Cooper & Thief is the number one luxury bourbon barrel-aged wine brand in the US[1], and joining forces with Larceny Bourbon adds a deeper connection and character to this small-batch exclusive wine. Larceny Bourbon is a wheated Bourbon that goes against the grain with a mashbill that uses wheat instead of rye as the secondary grain, resulting in a softer, rounder profile.
“Cooper & Thief believes in challenging tradition, especially in the luxury wine category that is steeped in convention. This collaboration between our cellarmasters and Larceny Bourbon’s Master Distillers is created for the traditional bourbon drinker who loves exploring unique and thoughtful expressions. This release is special because it pairs Larceny’s excellence in Kentucky Bourbon with Cooper & Thief’s expertise in creating bold, smooth bourbon-barrel finished wines. It truly is a Wine for the Whiskey Lover,” said Michelle Diemer, Senior Director of Marketing for Cooper & Thief.
“Larceny Bourbon is crafted with a wheated mashbill that creates a softer, rounder whiskey with notes of caramel, honey, and toasted oak. When those barrels are used to finish a wine like this Napa Valley Red Blend, they bring more than just character—they layer in a rich sweetness, enhance the wine’s texture, and add depth through warm baking spice and subtle vanilla notes,” said Conor O’Driscoll, Master Distiller for Larceny Bourbon. “The interaction between the wine and our barrels creates a long, smooth finish that bridges the worlds of bourbon and wine in a compelling way. It’s a bold, flavorful expression that stays true to Larceny’s spirit of doing things a little differently.”
To further elevate this small-batch release, the Cooper & Thief Cellarmasters carefully selected bold varietals from Napa Valley vineyards. Napa Valley produces riper, more concentrated fruit, yielding a rich, dark, plush wine. The cooler 2023 vintage helped balance richness with freshness, resulting in a Red Blend that feels both indulgent and refined. Primarily Malbec-led with Zinfandel and a touch of Petite Sirah, this isn’t a typical red blend. Plus, adding the Larceny award-winning Bourbon barrels for finishing brings another layer to the wine with signature bourbon aromas and flavors for a lush and powerful wine.
The Cooper & Thief x Larceny Napa Valley Red Blend is rolling out at select retailers nationwide this March with a Suggested Retail Price of $34.99. The wine has already received a 93-point score from The Tasting Panel Magazine. In addition to this exclusive launch, the Cooper & Thief portfolio of Bourbon-barrel aged wines includes a California Red Blend, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir. The classic Cooper & Thief Red Blend is a California blend of primarily Cabernet Sauvignon with Malbec and Merlot, distinct from this new Napa Valley exclusive release. To learn more about Cooper & Thief and the Cooper & Thief x Larceny Bourbon Napa Valley Red Blend, please visit www dot cooperandthief dot com.
Source: BevNET