Accolade Wines Continues to Grow North American Presence

HEALDSBURG, Calif., Oct. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Accolade Wines announces the transition of U.S. distribution of its Australian portfolio from Constellation Brands, Inc., effective immediately.

Accolade Wines North America, led by Managing Director Tim Matz, has assumed responsibility for all sales, marketing and distribution of the Hardys, Banrock Station, Tintara, Whiskers Blake Port and Trackers Crossing brands in the U.S. This transfer of brands is a further development in the evolution of Accolade Wines North America which began with the purchase of the Geyser Peak Winery, XYZin, and Atlas Peak brands in June 2012.

"We will provide the additional resources necessary to grow these iconic Australian brands within the U.S.," said Matz. "The vast majority of the volume of these brands is sold outside of the U.S., Hardys being the number one wine brand in the United Kingdom. "We believe there is significant room for growth on the existing Australian brands as well as new ones we will be launching in the near future," added Matz.

"Accolade Wines North America will support our valued customers and our distributor network around the country to ensure that the transition is completed smoothly," noted Vice President of North American Sales Todd DeVincenzi. "Growing our North American presence by expanding our portfolio with our distributors and accounts to drive the business is a very exciting prospect," said DeVincenzi.

This change within the U.S. will not affect current arrangements involving the distribution of Accolade Wines and Constellation Brands in other markets.

About Accolade Wines North America

Drawing on a proud heritage with one of the first wineries established in Australia, Accolade Wines has matured into a global wine company with some of the world's best-known brands which are sold in over 80 countries, including Australia, the UK, Mainland Europe, the U.S., Canada, Japan and China. Accolade Wines North America, Inc is a California Corporation with its principal place of business at 349 Healdsburg Avenue, Healdsburg, CA, 94558, USA. We invite you to visit our web site at AccoladeWinesNA.com.

For further information contact:

Linda Sanpei, Public Relations North America, 805.543.2288, [email protected] 
Anita Poddar, External Relations Manager Accolade Wines, +61 0417 819 978 (Australia) 

SOURCE Accolade Wines