Napa Winery Continues to Evaluate Distributor Network Nationwide
Rutherford, California, November 12, 2018 – Grgich Hills Estate, the iconic Napa Valley winery, announced that Ambiente Wine will be their distributor of record in the Texas market, effective December 1, 2018. This is the latest transition of partners as the winery continues to evaluate their distributor network nationwide.
“As a family-owned-and-operated winery, we are always evaluating what is in the best long-term interest of our business,” said Violet Grgich, proprietor and president of Grgich Hills Estate. “It’s important to align with partners that share our values and vision for the future. Ambiente has shown great respect for our family legacy and eagerness to represent us in the market. Additionally, their management puts a strong emphasis on education for their team members which echoes one of our core values,” Grgich continued.
“Grgich is an iconic winery in Napa Valley, and Ambiente is thrilled to partner with the Grgich and Hills families, along with Grgich’s talented management team to leverage our collective expertise in Texas,” said Joseph Thomas, CEO of Ambiente. “We look forward to enhancing Grgich’s plan for continued growth,” added Scott Richey, COO of Ambiente.
According to the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, roughly 1,273,067 more gallons of wine (or just over 535k cases) were consumed in the state from January-August 2018 than in the same period two years prior; this growth led the winery to take notice of their business in the state. “There is a lot of opportunity in Texas that has not been seized upon,” noted Rebecca Geschwender, director of sales for Grgich Hills Estate. “We’re confident that this new partnership will yield positive results for both of our organizations.”
About Grgich Hills Estate
Grgich Hills Estate was founded after Vintners Hall of Fame inductee Miljenko “Mike” Grgich first earned world-wide recognition when the 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay that he crafted won the 1976 Paris Tasting, beating the best of France and drawing international attention to the Napa Valley. Mike then partnered with Austin Hills and his sister, Mary Lee Strebl, who had just sold their interests in the Hills Bros. Coffee Company. They joined together in the pursuit of creating the best wines in the world and chose Independence Day, July 4, 1977, to launch their family-owned-and-operated winery.
Committed to natural winegrowing and sustainability, Grgich Hills Estate’s five estate vineyards in the Napa Valley are certified organic and all its wines are estate-grown. Relying on wild yeast fermentation and minimal intervention, the winemaking team draws on Mike’s passion and art to handcraft food-friendly, balanced and elegant wines.
