Cape Classics Makes Distribution Changes In Florida

Cape Classics, the premier importer of South African wine to the U.S. and leader in French wines, today announces a new distributor partner in the Florida market. Effective April 1, Stacole Fine Wines, a member of The Winebow Group, will guide distribution activity throughout the state.

“Florida is one of the three largest wine markets in the United States, and is a critical one for our evolution. The excellent relationship we share with The Winebow Group currently covers nine states and has seen consistently strong growth over the past decade,” stated Andre Shearer, Cape Classics’ Chairman & CEO. “The appointment of Stacole as our new distributor in Florida is a vote of confidence in the long term relationship we share with The Winebow Group. The Cape Classics portfolio expansion into Europe, with the initial emphasis on France, adds even more substance to the future growth of the partnership. We share strong company cultures, a commitment to quality at every level and the desire to represent wines of authenticity, excitement, value and a great sense of place. Having personally worked with David Townsend and his team so comfortably for so many years makes this a very easy and happy decision.”

Stacole’s prestigious portfolio, expansive delivery network and retail planning support have made them one of the largest distributors in the region. One of the unique hallmarks of Stacole’s operations is its commitment to maintaining an entire fleet of temperature-controlled trucks and warehouses, preserving the quality of the wines it delivers from storage to shelf.

“We are thrilled to further develop our relationship with Cape Classics and to strengthen our commitment to the Florida market,” said David Townsend, President and CEO of The Winebow Group. “We seek to grow with partners who share our core values and Cape Classics embodies that with their dedication to family-owned estates, education and customer service.”

Cape Classics will support Stacole through a series of robust promotional efforts. To kick-off the appointment, Stacole will focus on the portfolio’s offerings with market launches in Miami, Orlando, Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Northeast Florida and Naples. Regional team meetings, dissemination of customer mailings and the Florida leg of the company’s winemaker tour are in place to support the transition. Stacole will work with Cape Classics’ key partners in the state, including Walt Disney World, Whole Foods and Cost Plus World Market.

“As our business continues to marry the best-of-the-best from South Africa with the next generation of top producers in France, partnering with like-minded distributors is paramount,” explained Robert Bradshaw, Cape Classics President. “We need to work with people who care deeply about the integrity of the product, and the stories of the people that make them. For well over a decade, The Winebow Group has been setting that standard with us, and we could not be more excited to take this adventure to Florida with Stacole.”
 
Stacole Fine Wines, a member of The Winebow Group, is a fine wine and spirits wholesaler covering all of Florida with a dedicated team of seasoned professionals. Founded in 1933 and located in Pompano Beach, Stacole is committed to the highest level of customer service and represents a diverse portfolio of fine wines and spirits in all price points and from all parts of the world. With a unique on-premise focus and a successful strategy for building brands, Stacole is supported by an expert staff of brand managers, logistics specialists, marketing and business analysts and operations expertise, and services all channels of the fine wine and spirits business in Florida.

Cape Classics was co-founded by Andre Shearer in 1992 with a mission of bringing the crème de la crème of South Africa’s then-fledgling boutique wine industry to the American market. In 2013, Cape Classics expanded its portfolio to include wines from France, and now proudly represents 26 of the finest estates and labels from the regions. Cape Classics’ mission is to provide a unique range of selections that are exciting and delicious and that offer outstanding value.