MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Banfi Vintners, America’s leading importer of fine wine, announced the consolidation of its brands in eleven markets with Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern), the leading wine and spirits wholesaler in the United States.
Since Banfi’s 2008 appointment as exclusive importer of Italian wine brands Bolla and Fontana Candida, and its 2009 acquisition of the VinMotion Wines including Pacific Rim, Rainstorm and Sweet Bliss, the portfolio has been distributed by competing wholesalers in certain states, explained Banfi COO Marc Goodrich. The consolidation with Southern will take place in Alaska, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kentucky, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
“We have long enjoyed a strong relationship with Southern Wines & Spirits,” Mr. Goodrich said. “It was mutually beneficial for both of us to solidify our relations in these states and bring the entire Banfi portfolio under one leading house.”
The long relationship between the two companies was also a touch point for Southern’s Senior Vice President & President, Wine Division Mel Dick, who remarked, “Over the many years of our close business and personal relationships with Banfi — first with John and Harry Mariani and now with James Mariani and Cristina Mariani-May — we at Southern have been honored to steward their many iconic brands from Italy, Chile, Australia, California and Argentina.”
Steve Slater, Southern’s Executive Vice President & General Manager, Wine Division, concurred, noting, “We are delighted with our expanded relationship with the Banfi and the Mariani Family. We look forward to growing our success with Banfi by working closely with consummate professionals and collaborative supplier partner executives like Charlie Andrews and Marc Goodrich. This promises to be a fruitful partnership for many years to come.”
These agreements are effective February 1, 2013.
About Banfi Vintners
Banfi is a private concern, founded in New York in 1919 by John Mariani, Sr., and focused on the production and import of wine. The firm is run today by co-CEOs James Mariani and Cristina Mariani-May, grandchildren of the founder and children, respectively, of President Emeritus Harry Mariani and Chairman Emeritus John F. Mariani. Banfi Vintners represents the wines of the Mariani family’s own estates in Italy, Castello Banfi and Banfi Piemonte, and its wholly owned VinMotion wines, as well as category leaders Bolla, Cecchi, Florio, Fontana Candida, Placido, Riunite and Sartori from Italy. It’s separately managed Excelsior division represents the Chilean wines of Concha y Toro, the Argentine wines of Trivento, and the Californian wines of Little Black Dress and Five Rivers. Banfi’s world headquarters is a 60-room Elizabethan manor located on a 127-acre estate and vineyard in Old Brookville, New York. For more information about Banfi, please see: http://www.banfivintners.com.
About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 35 markets. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. In addition, Southern has a presence in Maryland and the District of Columbia through a joint venture with F.P. Winner Wine & Spirits as well as a joint venture in Minnesota with J.J. Taylor Distributing Company. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 12,500 team members. Southern urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information about Southern and its responsible consumption program, see: http://www.southernwine.com.