Negociants USA has unveiled plans to merge with The Winebow Group, a leading national importer and distributor of wine and spirits in the US. Negociants USA will merge into The Winebow Group with a new portfolio focused on Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The deal will see Negociants USA retain its name and the core wineries from its existing portfolio, including Yalumba and their Family Owned Estate Wines from Australia. The portfolio will also consist of other wines from Australia as well as New Zealand and South Africa.
“I am thrilled to welcome the talented Negociants USA team to The Winebow Group,” said David Townsend, President and CEO of The Winebow Group.
“For over 30 years, their pioneering efforts have brought a wonderful range of Australian wines to the US and have led the way for what we believe is a pivotal moment of growth for the category.
“With our combined efforts and the coming together of these amazing family estates into one portfolio, we are confident that wine drinkers in the US will continue to embrace these wines from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.”
Robert Hill-Smith, Chairman of Negociants USA, added: “Our many discussions with The Winebow Group have independently led us to a conclusion that a collaboration with a major national importer would further both the national key account and multi-channel coverage our brand principals are seeking.
“We have an excellent and longstanding relationship with The Winebow Group in many of their distribution markets, and know that their philosophy, fine wine culture, and forward-thinking perfectly aligns with ours—making this alliance a natural progression in our quest to be a market leader of Australian, New Zealand, and now South African fine wines.”
Negociants USA will now benefit from increased infrastructure, operations, and sales support and Kathy Marlin, who has been the managing director of Negociants USA since 2012, will join The Winebow Group as Senior Vice President of the Negociants USA division.
Negociants USA will become The Winebow Group’s fourth national import division along with Craft + Estate, LLS, and MundoVino, and will include the following brands:
Yalumba, Campbells, Dalrymple, Heggies Vineyard, Henschke, Howard Park, Jansz Tasmania, Little Things, Mad Fish, mesh, Oxford Landing Estates, Pewsey Vale Vineyard, Ringbolt, Rogers & Rufus Rose, Running with Bulls, Shaw + Smith, St. Kilda, Tolpuddle, Tournon, Vasse Felix, Vinaceous, and Wirra Wirra from Australia, plus Allan Scott, Nautilus Estate, Opawa, Ponga, Twin Islands, and Two Paddocks from New Zealand and South Africa wines Anwilka Vineyards and Klein Constantia.