MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern)—the nation’s largest wine and spirits distributor with current operations in 35 states—announced today its appointment by Accolade Wines North America (Accolade) to represent its entire portfolio of Australian and American wine brands in 24 markets, including, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Accolade Managing Director Tim Matz said, “By linking more closely with Southern across 24 key markets, we are confident that there is significant room for growth for all our great American, Australian and other import brands, including—among others—Atlas Peak, Flagstone, Geyser Peak Winery, XYZin, Hardys, Banrock Station, Tintara, Da Luca, Whiskers Blake Port and Trackers Crossing. We look forward to working closely with Southern in 2013 and beyond to help us pursue all the marketing opportunities and sales channels in the dynamic U.S. wine market.”
Mel Dick—Executive Vice President, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, & President, Wine Division—added, “For us, all these great brands from Accolade represent bringing them back ‘home’ with a wholesaler who understands each of them, and—through our unparalleled national footprint—we will steward their development and growth for years to come.”
“In concert with Southern, Accolade will continue to support our valued customers, and we are confident that with Southern’s expertise in executing superlative sales and marketing programs, we will keep growing our presence in these 24 markets,” noted Vice President, North American Sales Todd DeVincenzi.
Steve Slater, Southern’s Executive Vice President, General Manager-Wine Division, concluded, “Going forward, Accolade will benefit from a single point of contact for these 24 markets, facilitating a coordinated development for sales programming and extending Accolade’s reach with key national accounts customers.” Slater added, “Our long-term familiarity with Accolade’s brands will provide both companies with a smooth transition now and lay a strong foundation for future growth for years to come.”
About Accolade Wines North America
Drawing on a proud heritage with one of the first wineries established in Australia, Accolade Wines has matured into a global wine company with some of the world’s best-known brands which are sold in over 80 countries, including Australia, the UK, Mainland Europe, the U.S., Canada, Japan and China. Accolade Wines North America, Inc is a California Corporation with its principal place of business at 1700 Second Street, Suite 220, Napa, CA 94559; see http://accoladewinesna.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.