US-based wine maker Ste. Michelle Wine Estates has selected C&C Group to distribute its portfolio in the UK.
Bibendum, the premium wine specialist arm of C&C Group, will sell Chateau Ste. Michelle, Col Solare, A-Z, Erath, Rex Hill and Patz & Hall brands, the company said in a statement.
Drinks wholesaler and a subsidiary of C&C Group, Matthew Clark will distribute the wine brands Columbia Crest and 14 Hands.
The wines will also be available to multiple grocers through Bibendum Off Trade and to independent merchants through Walker & Wodehouse, C&C Group added.
Harriet Kininmonth, Wine Trading Director at C&C Group commented, "To have such a well-respected and celebrated wine company join our portfolio is an honour and we are excited to be adding their exceptional wines, which we have always admired, to our unrivalled portfolio in the On Trade.
"As the leading drinks distributor to the UK On Trade, we are well positioned to deliver strong sales and growth for their fantastic range of premium wineries, whilst giving our customers access to an even stronger portfolio of wines. We can’t wait to embark on this journey together."
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates operates sustainably both in the vineyard and in the cellar as well as supporting the communities they operate in.
The company runs the Chateau Ste. Michelle Scholarship Fund, which gives four college scholarships to Washington State University for deserving students who otherwise would not be able to attend college.
Since 2015, they have also invested in the Wine Science Centre at Washington State University, focusing on promoting premium Washington wines and investing for the future.
They also develop and share sustainable viticulture across the company’s 11 wineries, which harvest grapes from more than 2,150 company-owned farms in Washington and Oregon.
"This is a fantastic opportunity to partner with C&C Group the largest drinks wholesaler in the United Kingdom," said Dan Heller, executive vice-president sales at Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.
"We’re thrilled to add our core brands to their portfolio and look forward to a strategic partnership with this team to introduce world class Ste. Michelle wines to the UK consumer."
