SINGAPORE. CoLab has rolled out its premium, Italian-inspired sparkling cocktail brand Isola in travel retail during last week’s TFWA Asia Pacific Exhibition in Singapore.
With ambitions to shake up the sparkling wine and RTD category in travel retail, the Singapore company is positioning the brand as a premium yet accessible lifestyle product.
Inspired by Mediterranean beach clubs, Isola (Italian for ‘island’) is crafted for modern travellers seeking lower-alcohol, fruit-forward options in travel-friendly formats.
Bottled at 8% ABV, the Isola portfolio features three sparkling RTD variants. These include:
Isola Peach Bellini – a vibrant blend of sun-ripened peaches and sparkling wine, capturing the essence of summer. Described as lightly effervescent, this flavour delivers a smooth peach finish.
Isola Tropical Royale – a golden-hued fusion featuring passionfruit, pineapple and crisp sparkling wine, inspired by a tropical getaway.
Isola Limoncello Spritz – a bright zesty citrus and sparkling Italian wine fusion, evoking the charm of the Amalfi Coast sunsets.
The brand is designed around four key pillars, including ‘luxury escape’ – evoking premium Mediterranean beach club experiences; ‘effortless chic’ – blending style with relaxed enjoyment; ‘vibrant and social’ – designed for celebratory gatherings; and ‘premium yet approachable’ – combining high-quality ingredients in shareable formats.
Produced in Australia, each variant comes in 750ml matte-finish bottles, designed to appeal to experience-driven consumers, particularly female travellers.
CoLab described this demographic as underrepresented in spirits marketing, despite its key role in driving growth in the sparkling and RTD segments.
These consumers most likely opt for premium, lower-alcohol options that are aesthetically appealing, and align with their commitment to health and sustainability. They also show a strong preference for brands that reflect their values and lifestyle choices.
Tailored to travel retail trends
Isola’s market entry strategy incorporates specialised travel retail offerings, such as specially designed matte-finish bottles with bold labels, premium three-pack gift sets, sampling activations at airports and cruise terminals, influencer-driven digital marketing, and retailer support materials designed for high-traffic visibility.
The brand leverages CoLab APAC’s travel retail and ecommerce expertise in Asia Pacific, along with a distribution network that spans over 20 airports.
Isola is strategically positioned to leverage key industry trends this year, as the global low- and no-alcohol category is growing at a 7.5% CAGR from 2023 to 2028, while premium RTDs are seeing +12% annual growth (IWSR 2024).
The brand’s appeal resonates particularly with younger demographics, as 68% of Gen Z and Millennial travellers prefer lower-alcohol options. It also addresses the demand from 72% of luxury consumers who seek brands with strong lifestyle narratives.
Isola Co-Founder Muir Leggett said, “We created Isola to bring a sense of lightness, joy and escapism to modern travellers. It’s time the travel retail shelf made space for the sun-drenched, beachside moments consumers are actually living for.” ✈
