DALLAS, TX – May 1, 2015 – Banfi Vintners and Excelsior Wines jointly confirm the expansion of their ties with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) with the addition of four new markets. Effective June 1, 2015, RNDC assumes exclusive distribution rights for Banfi Vintners and Excelsior Wines in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma. This increases RNDC’s combined representation of the two portfolios to a total of 13 states. Currently RNDC represents the brands in Florida, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Washington DC, Indiana, New Mexico, Nebraska and North Dakota. Both companies have signed a five-year exclusive distribution agreement in all markets.
“We are pleased to expand and strengthen our relationship with RNDC in these key states. As a highly respected wholesaler with an established commitment to excellence in wine distribution, RNDC is well positioned for continued growth of our brands in all trade channels.” James Mariani, co-CEO, Banfi Vintners
This latest agreement reinforces Banfi and Excelsior’s partnership with RNDC and brings with it heightened levels of commitment and investment behind these two portfolios of category-leading brands. Five-year objectives have been established for each, backed by increased levels of investment, organization and resources necessary to attain those goals in the on and off premise trade channels and national accounts.
“RNDC has been a great strategic partner. The new agreements reaffirm RNDC’s allegiance to our portfolio and long-term goals. We look forward to continued success in our partnership.” Marc Goodrich, president, Excelsior Wines
“RNDC is proud to build upon and expand this relationship in these four additional markets. This partnership will enhance our collective position with our national and regional accounts, as well as with the important independent retailers and restaurateurs. The Banfi and Excelsior portfolios are perfectly aligned with today’s consumers.” Tom Cole, president, RNDC-USA
About Banfi Vintners
Banfi Vintners was founded in New York in 1919 by John F. Mariani, Sr. and built into America’s leading wine marketer over the last four decades by his sons, John, Jr., and Harry Mariani. The company continues to be family-owned and operated by co-CEOs Cristina Mariani-May and James Mariani, who are also proprietors of the Castello Banfi vineyard estate in Montalcino, Tuscany; Vigne Regali Cellars in Strevi, Piedmont; Pacific Rim Winery in Washington’s Columbia Valley; and Rainstorm Winery in Oregon. Additionally, Banfi imports Riunite, Bolla, Maschio, Fontana Candida, Sartori, Cerulli Spinozzi, Cella, and Florio of Italy; Emiliana of Chile; Chateau Tanunda of Australia; Stone’s Ginger wine of England; and Wisdom & Warter Sherries of Spain. For more information, visit www.banfiwines.com.
About Excelsior Wines
Excelsior Wines, founded in 2011 and headed by company president Marc Goodrich, is an independent joint partnership between Concha y Toro of Chile and Banfi Vintners. The exclusive U.S. importer of the Chilean wines of Concha y Toro and its Argentine affiliate, Trivento, it is the single largest importer of South American wines in the U.S. The portfolio also includes the California wines of Little Black Dress and Five Rivers, both from Fetzer Vineyards, which was acquired by Concha y Toro in 2011. For more information, visit www.excelsiorwines.com
About Republic National Distributing Company
RNDC is the second largest distributor of premium wine and spirits in the United States with operations in Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia. RNDC employs more than 8,000 individuals nationwide. For more information about the company, please visit www.rndc-usa.com.
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