Terlato to Add Premium Selection of New South African Wines from Distell Group to Luxury Wine Portfolio

04 Dec 2015 --- Lake Bluff, Ill., -- Terlato Wines today announced that it will import a range of premium wine brands from Distell Group, South Africa's and Africa's leading producer of wines, spirits, ciders and ready-to-drink beverages. Nederburg, Two Oceans, Plaisir de Merle and Durbanville Hills will join the Terlato portfolio as part of a long-term agreement that deepens Terlato's South African portfolio with four distinguished brands. Over time, additional wine brands from Distell also will join the Terlato portfolio.

"These wines are an excellent addition to our portfolio," said Terlato Wines Chief Executive William A. Terlato.  "We've been an advocate for South African wines for years and feel there is major untapped market potential for high quality South African wines. We are looking forward to working with our partners at Distell Group to bring awareness of these exceptional wines to more U.S. consumers."

Several of the brands are already established in the U.S. market. Nederburg is South Africa's most awarded winery and is located in Paarl. It produces a range of red and white varietals that retail in the premium and super premium category. Two Oceans takes its name from the meeting of the Atlantic and Indian Oceans along the southern coast at the tip of Africa, impacting wine-growing conditions Western Cape. The brand produces a collection of South Africa's leading varietals and is priced in the premium segment.

Terlato also will introduce new brands to U.S. audiences. Plaisir de Merle, one of South Africa's oldest wine estates and a Distell flagship, is located in Simondium, close to Franschoek. It was established in 1693 by French Huguenot Charles Marais. Terlato's initial efforts will focus on Plaisir de Merle's estate grown and bottled Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and specialty red blend Grand Plaisir. Durbanville Hills, one of Distell's newest and most exciting wine ventures, is located in the hills of Durbanville close to Cape Town and produces cool-climate wines from the unique terroir of this emerging wine growing region.

"In the same spirit of our recent agreement with Terlato to combine our respective spirits businesses, we are extremely pleased to partner with Terlato on some of our most important South African wine brands in the U.S.," said Steven Nathan, managing director of Distell International. "Terlato is well established in the U.S. and known for their expertise in luxury wines and brand building. When you factor in their passion for South African wines, it makes an ideal partnership. We are proud of these wines and of our new partnership with the Terlato family."

The wines of Plaisir de Merle, Two Oceans, Durbanville Hills and Nederburg have all been recognized for excellence in top international competitions including the Decanter World Wine Awards and the International Wine & Spirits Competition. 

Terlato Wines has a global portfolio of more than 80 brands from world class wine producers in more than a dozen countries and controls a 20 percent market share of wines $20 and up in the U.S. Terlato Wines garners more 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world and is a division of the Terlato Wine Group, the parent company comprising several small businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. Owned and operated by the Terlato family for four generations, the Group also includes the family's winery investments and partnerships in some of the worlds most esteemed wine regions including: Napa Valley; Sonoma County; Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County; Victoria, Australia; the Rhone Valley in France; Friuli, Italy and; Montalcino, Italy.

The Terlato Wines portfolio of brands includes:Napa Valley: Chimney Rock, Episode, Galaxy, Jack Nicklaus Wines, Luke Donald Collection, Markham Vineyards, Rutherford Hill, Tangley Oaks, Terlato Family Vineyards; Sonoma County: Giarrusso, Hanna, Rochioli, The Federalist, Terlato Family Vineyards; Santa Barbara County: Flor de Campo, Sanford; Santa Cruz: David Bruce; California Appellation: Glass Mountain, Greystone Cellars, Jack's House; Mike Ditka Wines, Seven Daughters; Washington State: Grace Lane; Argentina: Cuarto Dominio, Tamari; Australia: Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier, the Lucky Country, Twelftree, Two Hands; Austria: Kracher, Sohm & Kracher; Canada: Peller Estates; Chile: Lapostolle; France: Belleruche by M. Chapoutier, Champagne Duval-Leroy, Chapoutier, Chateau de Sancerre, Château Timberlay, Domaine Ramonet, Chateau de Meursault, Chateau de Marsannay, MARIUS, Mischief & Mayhem; Piper-Heidsieck; Greece: Boutari, Elios; Italy: Anselmi, Berlucchi, Ca'Marcanda (GAJA Toscana), Cecchi, Colavita, Cusumano, Epsilon, Fizz 56, GAJA, Goretti, Il Poggione, Mazzoni (Toscana), Nino Franco, Santa Margherita; Terlato Vineyards; Japan: Shimizu-no-mai Sake; New Zealand: Loveblock, Turning Heads, Wairau River; Portugal: M. Chapoutier; South Africa: Anthonij Rupert, Durbanville Hills, Ernie Els, Guardian Peak, Nederburg, Plaisir de Merle, Protea, Rust en Vrede; Two Oceans; Spain: Bodegas Valdemar, Marco Abella. Artisan Spirits: Adelphi Selections Scotch, Bain's Cape Mountain South African Whisky, Bisquit Cognac, Black Bottle Blended Whisky, Burn Steward Distillers, Distillatorio Nonino (Amaro and Grappa), Deanston Highland Single Malt Whisky, Don Pancho Origenes Rum, Heartland Prohibition Gin, Langley's No. 8 Gin; Marnier XO Cognac, Riazul Tequila, Tigre Blanc Vodka and Tiramisu Liqueur.