DSWE Appoints Jay Harkins VP of Sales for Classic & Vintage Spirits Portfolio

NEW YORK, Jan. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Domaine Select Wine Estates, a Manhattan based wine & spirits import and distribution company announces the appointment of Jay Harkins as Vice President of Sales for the Classic & Vintage Artisanal Spirits Collection (C&V). Harkins takes on this newly created role immediately and will work with Founders Allison & Paolo Domeneghetti to continue portfolio development and national sales growth.

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"We are truly inspired by the success of Classic & Vintage thus far," says Allison Domeneghetti. "Our goals for this division demanded that we find a very specific type of individual to begin managing the sales of Classic & Vintage on the National level."

A 10-year industry specialist, Harkins joins C&V from Lauber, Southern Wine & Spirits, where he served as District Manager and Director of On-Premise Sales respectively. In these roles, he oversaw the development of the on-premise sales team for the New York district market and managed a six-district territory, which generated $37 million in annual revenue. Prior to his tenure at SW&S, Harkins was chosen to head sales for Mystique Brands in 2007, and earlier in his career he worked as the New York State Portfolio Manager for Cognac Ferrand.

"Jay brings a special blend of traditional appreciation for fine spirits with a current, fresh perspective of this vital market," says Domeneghetti. "He shares the same dynamic and ambitious character with which we founded DSWE over a decade ago. We believe with Jay on our team we have found the person who will work with us to secure Classic & Vintage's place as a leading spirits company in the 21st century."

The C&V portfolio was launched in 2009 and has grown to include: Armagnac Castarede, Averna, Cognac Grosperrin, Didier Meuzard, Dimmi Liquore di Milano, Excellia, G'Vine, June, Koval, Mae de Ouro, Montanaro, Rhum JM, Sombra, Suprema, The Bitter Truth, WhistlePig Farms, Varnelli, and Zabov. Additional brands are represented in specific markets only such as Ransom (NY, NJ & CA) and Osocalis, Karlsson's Gold and Wodka in NY & NJ. Each producer is a specialty brand viewed among the finest in its respective category.

"So much of how we established Classic & Vintage is based on what we learned from forming our wine portfolio," says Domeneghetti. "We had a philosophy in place, we set high expectations, and we nurtured relationships with the right producers. Growing the spirits portfolio was very much a matter of connecting the right people in our trade to these exceptional brands."

"Domaine Select has put together one of the most intriguingly mouth-watering collections of spirits I've encountered," states San Francisco-based wine and spirits journalist Jordan Mackay. "Every base is covered—from the high-quality boutique to the international sensation to the compellingly exotic. Side-by-side on a back bar, this collection alone would make for one of the most compelling bars you could ever visit."

For more information on Classic & Vintage, please visit www.classicandvintagespirits.com.

About Domaine Select Wine Estates

Founded in 1999, Domaine Select Wine Estates (DSWE) is dedicated to wines and specialized spirits from around the world of the highest quality and which demonstrate excellence and tremendous character, particular to their origin. DSWE is committed to transmitting the individuality of the producers; expressing diversity, tradition and personality is the tenet of DSWE. Domaine Select Wine Estates was named 2010 Importer of the Year by FOOD & WINE Magazine

SOURCE Domaine Select Wine Estates