The arrangement, announced earlier this week, is the latest phase in a wider overhaul of Duckhorn’s wholesale distribution network across the US following the Californian company’s completion of its acquisition of upscale Californian winery Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards from Brown-Forman in April. Previously, Johnson Brothers distributed the company’s wines in the US states of Iowa and West Virginia.
The new agreement, which will come into force later this summer, will see the state of Hawaii also fall under Johnson Brothers’ responsibility.
“Acquiring Sonoma-Cutrer has provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate and optimise our distributor network across the US to strengthen our ability to drive consistent profitable growth and increase shareholder value,” said recently-appointed CEO Deirdre Mahlan.
The group now owns 11 US wineries: Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Sonoma-Cutrer, Kosta Browne, Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Calera, Migration, Postmark, Canvasback and Greenwing. Duckhorn also claims to the largest supplier of US$15+ wine in the country’s off-premise channel.
Earlier this year, the company appointed the former CEO of The Boston Beer Co, Dave Burwick, to its board.
