Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”)—the largest North American wine and spirits distribution company—announced today that it has expanded distribution 
agreements in the Pacific Northwest with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Washington’s founding winery. The market expansion includes Alaska, Oregon, Utah, western Washington State and Wyoming; bringing the total alignment with Southern Glazer’s in the U.S. to 26 states. The five-year agreement represents a long-term commitment by both companies to grow the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates portfolio in this important domestic wine region.
“Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is the dominant winery in Washington and a powerhouse in the Pacific Northwest,” commented Wayne Chaplin, CEO of Southern Glazer’s. “Aligning with us in these markets enables them to further leverage synergies in our businesses and accelerate growth of their premium wine brands.”
“Southern Glazer’s and Ste. Michelle Wine Estates have had an incredible 30-year partnership,” added Mel Dick, Senior Vice President of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and President of the Company’s Wine Division. “We look forward to building on this amazing foundation and continuing to champion outstanding Washington wines in the marketplace.”
Some of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates signature brands include Chateau Ste. Michelle, Columbia Crest, 14 Hands, and Red Diamond.
“For nearly 30 years, the Southern team has grown the Washington wine category across its 20-plus markets,” said Ted Baseler, CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “Assigning Ste. Michelle’s Pacific Northwest business to the Southern Glazer’s team joins two premier organizations who have unmatched 50-year legacies in the wine industry.”
“We are looking forward to expanding our long-term partnership with Southern Glazer’s to include the Pacific Northwest,” added Dan Heller, Executive Vice President, Sales, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. “Southern Glazer’s has built an outstanding distribution platform in our home market. There is no doubt that they are best positioned to grow our share in the marketplace.”
Southern Glazer’s has made significant investments to position the Company as a leader in wine. It has more certified wine experts than any other North American wine and spirits distributor. Its employees have successfully completed more than 5,000 wine, sake and spirits education programs, from introductory to master-level achievements.
These include:
- Over 2,800 Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) wine & spirits certifications;
- 19 WSET Level 3 Awards in Sake;
- 1,600 Level 1 Court of Master Sommeliers®;
- 120 CMS Certified Sommeliers;
- 20 CMS Advanced Sommeliers;
- 14 Master Sommeliers®;
- Over 600 Certified Specialists of Wine (CSW);
- 16 Certified Wine Educators (CWE); and
- 117 Certified Specialists of Spirits (CSS)
