ST HELENA, Calif.– May 24, 2024 –The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc. (NYSE: NAPA) (the “Company”) announced today that it has entered into distribution agreements with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC) and Breakthru Beverage Group (BBG). The Company’s entry into these agreements is the culmination of a comprehensive strategic evaluation of its wholesale distribution network across the United States, with the goal of driving the profitable growth of the Company’s sales through a substantial increase in focus and investment in the wholesale channel. It is expected that RNDC and BBG will begin distribution of Duckhorn’s wines in their respective new territories during the summer.
“With the recent closing of our Sonoma-Cutrer acquisition, The Duckhorn Portfolio has grown in both scale and scope, and we are now the largest supplier of $15+ wines in the off-premise channel in the United States,” [1] said Deirdre Mahlan, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson of the Company. “Acquiring Sonoma-Cutrer provided an excellent opportunity to evaluate and optimize our distributor network across the United States to strengthen our ability to drive consistent profitable growth and increase shareholder value.”
Recognized as a premier pure-play producer of luxury wine in the United States, The Duckhorn Portfolio includes eleven acclaimed winery brands: Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Sonoma-Cutrer, Kosta Browne, Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Calera, Migration, Postmark, Canvasback and Greenwing. While the Company has worked with both RNDC and BBG since their respective early days in some states, the Company’s distributor agreements and new alignment will significantly expand the scope of these relationships. When the transition of territories is complete, the distribution of some or all of the Company’s winery brands will be handled by RNDC and BBG, respectively, in the following states:
Republic National Distributing Company
Alaska, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
Breakthru Beverage Group
Arizona, Colorado, District of Columbia, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Wisconsin.
“Duckhorn has worked with RNDC and BBG for decades, and each organization has always been an excellent distributor that brings a spirit of cooperation to achieving the Company’s goals,” said Pete Przybylinski, Executive Vice President, Chief Sales Officer of the Company. “As we have expanded our geographic commitment to RNDC and BBG, they have expanded their commitment to us. This will mean greater focus and investment in our winery brands, broader reach and deeper market penetration, and a shared focus on the Company’s growth that we believe will help us all to continue to outpace the market. We see many benefits of these enhanced relationships, not only for us and our distributors, but most importantly, for our retail customers and consumers.”
About The Duckhorn Portfolio, Inc.
The Duckhorn Portfolio is North America’s premier luxury wine company, with eleven wineries, ten state-of-the-art winemaking facilities, eight tasting rooms and over 2,200 coveted acres of vineyards spanning 38 Estate properties. Established in 1976, when vintners Dan and Margaret Duckhorn founded Napa Valley’s Duckhorn Vineyards, today, our portfolio features some of North America’s most revered wineries, including Duckhorn Vineyards, Decoy, Sonoma-Cutrer, Kosta Browne, Goldeneye, Paraduxx, Calera, Migration, Postmark, Canvasback and Greenwing. Sourcing grapes from our own Estate vineyards and fine growers in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Anderson Valley, California’s North and Central coasts, Oregon and Washington State, we offer a curated and comprehensive portfolio of acclaimed luxury wines with price points ranging from $20 to $230 across more than 15 varietals and 39 appellations. Our wines are available throughout the United States, on five continents, and in more than 50 countries around the world.
About Republic National Distributing Company
As a top beverage alcohol distributor in the nation, RNDC’s national reach helps suppliers by building strategic relationships with on- and off-premise customers to elevate their brands and reach their target consumers. RNDC currently operates in the District of Columbia and 39 states across the United States.
About Breakthru Beverage Group
Breakthru Beverage Group is one of the leading alcohol wholesalers in the United States and the largest broker in Canada representing a full total beverage alcohol portfolio of spirits, wine and beer. Breakthru is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and supports a wide range of notable organizations as well as local charitable initiatives across its North American footprint. Across all markets, Breakthru aligns a nimble and insightful approach to sales, marketing and operations. Family ownership is active in the business and committed to being stewards of heritage and champions of innovation.
