Ste. Michelle Wine Estates and Villa Maria Estate, New Zealand, have mutually agreed to discontinue their exclusive importer relationship, thus ending a ten-year partnership.
Villa Maria will move to a traditional import partner model, and has selected Winebow Imports to represent its portfolio of Villa Maria and Esk Valley wines in the U.S. market, with the transition expected to be completed by March 2021.
“We are pleased to have partnered with the Villa Maria team to import, market and sell their wine brands in the world’s most important wine market,” says David Dearie, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “We know the portfolio will enjoy continued success.”
Ste. Michelle began importing the Villa Maria Estate portfolio in 2010. It continues to be the exclusive importer for Marchesi Antinori of Italy and Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte of France.
“We have worked cooperatively with the Ste. Michelle team for 10 years and appreciate their commitment to building our portfolio in the U.S.,” says Matt Deller, Chief Global Sales & Marketing Officer for Villa Maria Estate.
