Terlato Wine Group and South Africa's Distell Group Announce Partnership to Combine U.S. Spirits Businesses

25 Nov 2015 --- Lakre Bluff, Ill., /PRNewswire/ -- Terlato Wine Group and Distell Group Limited, South Africa's and Africa's leading producer and marketer of spirits, ciders, wines and ready-to-drink beverages, today announced they will merge Terlato's Artisan Spirits division with Distell's U.S. spirits division. The merging of the two businesses will result in a joint venture to be operated as a division of Terlato Wines, with an important base of business in the U.S. spirits industry.

"This marks a transformation of our spirits business and the evolution of our position in this segment," said William A. Terlato, CEO of Terlato Wines. "The Distell Group brings a portfolio of world-class spirits brands that complements our own Terlato Artisan Spirits portfolio. In addition to maximizing distribution and sales of our combined portfolio, we'll also be looking for strategic acquisitions." 

In 2013, Terlato Wines launched its luxury spirits portfolio, Terlato Artisan Spirits, alongside its leading luxury wine business. Terlato has represented Nonino amaro and grappas since 1996, and other Terlato Artisan Spirits key brands include Langley's No. 8 Gin, Don Pancho Origenes Rum, Riazul Tequila and Tiramisu Liqueur. In the last two years, Terlato Artisan Spirits has achieved recognition and success for the artisanal quality and authenticity of its brands.

Distell, owner of Amarula Cream Liqueur and Bain's Cape Mountain Whisky, has been on a growth and acquisition path for several years. The company acquired Bisquit Cognac in 2009, and in 2013, it purchased Burn Steward Distillers, known for its family of highly regarded Scotch whiskies (Scotch single malts Bunnahabhain, Tobermory, Deanston, Ledaig and Black Bottle, a blended product.)

"This joint venture is a great match," said Steven Nathan, managing director of Distell International. "As we thought about how best to penetrate the U.S. market, we liked the idea of partnering with Terlato. They have a successful track record with luxury brands and are known for their impeccable portfolio of wines and spirits from outstanding producers and regions in the world. Their strong relationship with distributors and trade and their successful marketing and route-to-market strategies offer a solid foundation for our business. We are proud to unite our two portfolios in this joint venture."

The new business, which is equally owned, 50/50 by Terlato and Distell, will be led by Bill Terlato as CEO, with a COO to be named who will manage operations, sales and marketing. The group will be based in the Chicago area, and will report to its own board of directors. It is expected to be fully operational with a sales force of more than 20 and a full marketing team within the first quarter of 2016.

Terlato Wines has a global portfolio of more than 70 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 world's 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 Artisan Spirits portfolio includes: Adelphi Selections Scotch, Distillatorio Nonino (Amaro and Grappa), Don Pancho Origenes Rum, Heartland Prohibition Gin, Langley's No. 8 Gin, Marnier XO Cognac, Riazul Tequila, Tigre Blanc Vodka and Tiramisu Liqueur.

Distell Group is Africa's leading producer and marketer of spirits, fine wines, ciders and ready-to-drinks. The company's products are found in more than 80 countries.