
As U.S. wine and spirits distributors continue their geographic expansion, suppliers are continually reevaluating their best routes to market. That’s resulted in some significant shifts in supplier portfolios among wholesalers over the past year.
Among them, The Wine Group formed a national partnership with Southern Glazer’s in March of 2023, and then added six more states to the alignment early this year. According to Impact Databank, The Wine Group has annual U.S. volume of approximately 42 million cases, led by the 20-million-case Franzia brand.
Southern also gained new business from Trinchero in six states last year, for a total of 17 across the partnership, as the Sutter Home and Ménage à Trois brand owner revamped its distribution. RNDC now handles Trinchero in seven markets, Breakthru carries the portfolio in four states, and Johnson Brothers serves as distributor in eight markets. Meanwhile, Trinchero awarded its Oregon and Washington business to Columbia Distributing, mostly known for beer. Trinchero’s U.S. volume is approximately 17 million cases.
Among other developments, Mast-Jägermeister renewed with Southern Glazer’s nationally, and Don Sebastiani & Sons aligned with Southern across 25 markets. RNDC inked Edrington and Riboli Family to national deals, extended with William Grant & Sons in 25 markets, added Union Wine Co. in 25 markets, and bolstered its partnership with Flor de Caña, while Breakthru extended with Grant in 14 states.
Breakthru also renewed its alliance with Deutsch Family in six markets, while Johnson Brothers extended its representation of Deutsch to seven states. Additionally, Ste. Michelle appointed Martignetti in Massachusetts (Ste. Michelle is aligned with Southern Glazer’s in 36 states).