Bros. bring patriotism to the world of vodka
Local man launches new brand in a bottle that 'stands proud'
BY JESSICA SMITH Staff Writer

OLD BRIDGE - America has long been known as a melting pot. Two area men have decided to add a splash of vodka to the mix.

Brothers Frank and Sal D'Acunto will release Americana vodka to the tristate area next month. The vodka, according to Frank, is a luxury product that will hold appeal for all kinds of American tastes.

"From hip-hoppers to Wall Street executives to white- and blue-collar workers, even foreigners who came from another country and started their own business here ... this is what our brand represents," said Frank of Old Bridge. "The whole brand represents everything our culture represents - Vegas, the Grand Canyon, apple pie, diners, folk, jazz music, NASCAR, the list goes on and on."

The idea of Americana vodka was born when Frank and Sal, who lives in Holmdel, were sitting around looking at hundreds of brands of vodka, all imported from other countries, Frank said.

"We were like, it's a shame that there is no American brand to go against all these imports," Frank said.

With a family history in the liquor industry, the brothers decided to go for it. Their father Vincent started the family tradition as a liquor salesman 45 years ago, working his way up through the ranks to become president of his salesman's union.

Frank D'Acunto, of Old Bridge, shows an advertisement for the Americana vodka brand being launched by him and his brother, Sal, in September.

Though Vincent passed away seven years ago, his spirit lives on in his sons' company,

American

Spirits.

"We feel him so much involved with it from up above," Frank said. "We know he's there in spirit with us while we're launching it."

During more than a year of brainstorming and hard work, the brothers honed the details of their enterprise to be sure they would put forth an outstanding product, Frank said. Bottled in the Scobeyville section of Colts Neck at the country's oldest family distillery, Laird & Co., Americana is made with water sourced at 300 feet below sea level.

"The grains are harvested in the finest American heartlands," Frank said. "We're using a slow charcoal filtration, using a carbon block filter."

It is these special touches, Frank said, that make Americana a luxury vodka comparable to Grey Goose, Belvedere or Chopin. What makes it stand out from those other brands, however, is that it is the first luxury vodka made in the United States, he said.

Another feature sure to stand out will be the bottle, Frank said. Featuring colored glass with a patriotic flair, along with a unique rectangular shape, it proclaims, "product of the USA" along the bottom.

"It stands proud," Frank said. "We spared no expense in the whole packaging design of the bottle. There's no equipment that could mass produce these bottles."

Frank Stella, the owner of Old New York restaurant and nightclub, requested bottles to display on tables in the dining room because of their attractiveness, Frank said.

"That recognition is just priceless," Frank said. "He's been very, very supportive of us. He's helping us out in a lot of ways."

He said Old New York will host a promotional party for the vodka, but the date has not yet been determined.

The brothers plan to enter the bottle in contests, and eventually start a "save the bottle" program, in which customers can write in to receive a free bouquet of silk flowers to display in their empty bottles.

Not stopping with the bottle itself, the Americana theme will also find its way to the cork-topped caps, or T-tops. Picturing a map of the United States with the No. 50 during the product's launch, they will eventually feature individual state maps along with the number representing when that state joined the union, Frank said. This feature will make it easier for bar owners to identify Americana among its competitors when receiving shipments.

There will also be a contest at some point in which vodka drinkers can collect all 50 state caps to win a prize. Other contests, like a Willy Wonka-style golden cork hunt, are in the works, Frank said.

"All of our promotions and contests are geared toward American-themed concepts," Frank said. "Everything we do has a link back to the brand name, and what it represents as the culture of America."

Ads and floor displays will feature geographical landmarks from throughout the country. One ad, slated for the time of the presidential election, will show a photograph of the Capitol building, along with a bottle of Americana. The caption will read, "Finally, something we can all agree upon."

Keeping with the idea of producing things close to home, the brothers have enlisted companies from within New Jersey and New York to handle every aspect of the undertaking - everything from producing the vodka to promoting it, Frank said.