Delicato Family Wines has announced more switches away from Republic National Distributing Co in a raft of US markets.
The family-owned company, which claims to be the country’s fifth largest wine supplier in value terms, said yesterday (26 January) that it has agreed to “expand its work with Johnson Brothers and Breakthru Beverage Group” on the distribution side. At the same time, new agreements have been secured with Empire Merchants and Columbia Distributing.
Specific details on which of the four companies will handle which states were not disclosed.
The announcement comes seven months after Delicato transitioned the distribution for its home state of California from RNDC to Breakthru. At the time, chief sales officer Mark Merrion said RNDC continued to handle Delicato’s portfolio, which is led by the Bota Box brand, in 25 states.
“These updates are about building on strong relationships and expanding the partnerships in the market where our brands are performing,” said CEO Chris Indelicato this week. “By expanding relationships with partners who know our portfolio well and bringing in new partners where we see opportunity, we’re strengthening the foundation behind our brands.
“This is about supporting continued execution and long-term growth.”
RNDC’s decision in June to withdraw altogether from California has prompted a review of brand owners’ distribution relationships in the country more widely. Most recently, Proximo Spirits confirmed two weeks ago the addition of eight markets to its existing distribution arrangement for the US with Johnson Brothers.
