Partnership to Further Evolve Illinois Wine & Spirits Market
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas, April 23, 2025—Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) is proud to announce its appointment as the exclusive distributor for Gil Family Estates (GFE) USA, Inc. in the state of Illinois, effective June 1, 2025. This partnership marks a significant milestone in RNDC’s journey to lead the future of wine and spirits distribution with passion, innovation, and purpose.
“Expanding our partnership with Gil Family Estates and bringing their exceptional portfolio to the vibrant market of Illinois is a prime opportunity for RNDC,” said Bob Hendrickson, President and CEO at RNDC. “This appointment underscores our commitment to delivering unparalleled value and service to our suppliers and customers. Together, we will drive growth, elevate experiences, and set new standards in the industry.”
The Gil Family portfolio boasts over five hundred 90+ scores from various critics, including Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast, Wine Advocate, James Suckling, Wine & Spirits, and Decanter. Gil Family Estates owns and manages approximately 4,149 acres of vineyards throughout eleven wineries spread across ten DOs (Protected Designations of Origin) in Spain.
Gil Family Estates and RNDC distribution in Illinois reflect a shared vision of excellence, innovation, and growth. RNDC’s extensive network, industry expertise, and unwavering dedication to quality make it the ideal partner to represent GFE’s distinguished brands. RNDC and Gil Family Estates have previously partnered in 14 existing key markets including District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, and Virginia—part of building a diverse portfolio across the nation.
“RNDC is a great partner to showcase our family’s wines with the Illinois market, and we are excited to be working with them exclusively, ” said GFE 5th Generation Family Member, Paco Gil. “Our goal of sharing our five generations of winemaking across the US continues with working with RNDC.”
This strategic partnership aligns with RNDC’s purpose-driven vision to create shared success for suppliers, customers, and associates. By leveraging powerful analytics, market intelligence, and top-tier execution, RNDC will ensure GFE’s brands reach new heights in the Illinois market.
RNDC looks forward to continuing to unlock new opportunities, drive innovation, and elevate the wine and spirits industry to new heights.
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About Republic National Distributing Company
As a leading national beverage distributor in wine and spirits, RNDC has established its reputation by bringing the industry’s brightest talent together, consistently igniting opportunities for our suppliers, customers, and associates. Our expansive national reach empowers suppliers by building strategic relationships with on- and off-premise customers, elevating their brands and connecting them with their target consumers. Operating in the District of Columbia and 39 states across the United States, we are committed to being the most valuable partner to all we serve.
With roots extending before Prohibition and a footprint spanning from local to national, digital to DTC, we are ushering in a new era of wine and spirits distribution within the three-tier system. At RNDC, we work in that rare space where commitment to craft meets unrelenting quality. Fueled by passion, we are raising the bar for beverage alcohol distribution—elevating spirits and sales across our value chain.
To learn more, visit www.rndc-usa.com or contact Kanchan Kinkade, Vice President, Corporate Communications, at Kanchan.Achar@rndc-usa.com.
Gil Family Estates USA, LLC
Gil Family Estates owns or controls approximately 1,766 hectares (4,364 acres) of vineyards throughout their eleven wineries physically scattered across ten different D.O.s, Protected Designations of Origin, in Spain. Each winery has its own personality perfectly defined but working in excellent unity with the rest. Gil Family Estates has an unwavering focus on indigenous terroir-driven wines of outstanding value. All of the wineries under Gil Family Estates are currently run by brothers, Miguel and Ángel Gil. Today, the Family continues their focus on old-vine vineyards of indigenous varietals and the prioritization of sustainable farming (organic, dry-farming). This focus, coupled with their investment in technology, reduces the winery’s impact on the environment and results in the production of higher quality wines. The Gil Family Estates portfolio of wines is sold in over 40 countries and distributed in all 50 U.S. states. https://gilfamily.es/en