The Birth of a Global Wine Brand: Terlato Wines and Colavita Partner to Launch Colavita Wines

LAKE BLUFF, Ill., July 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- In an innovative collaboration, luxury wine leader Terlato Wines and leading extra virgin olive oil producer Colavita today announced a joint venture to create a collection of super-premium Italian wines. Under an evergreen agreement, Terlato will produce and market wines under the Colavita brand name for global distribution. The initial wines for the launch will be Pinot Grigio, Verdicchio, Pinot Noir and Valpolicella Ripasso. This is the first time a leading food brand and leading wine company have joined forces to market a collection of authentic Italian wines around the world.

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The Colavita company traces its roots back to tiny Sant'Elia a Pianisi, a small town in Southern Italy.  It was there, four generations ago, that Giovanni Colavita embarked on a journey that would establish Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil as a national leader in its category.  

Since its inception, quality has been Colavita's top priority.  Some time ago, Enrico Colavita read a news story that said, "Italy's two most important food products are olive oil and wine."  The statement struck a chord for both Enrico Colavita and partner John J. Profaci, co-founders of Colavita USA.  Soon after, the idea for Colavita wines was conceived.  As with their extra virgin olive oil, their top priority was to produce exquisite wines of exceptional quality.  To bring their vision to life, the Colavita family partnered with Terlato Wines – the leading importer, producer and marketer of luxury wines in the U.S.

"Colavita is one of the most well-known and successful Italian brands in the world," said Bill Terlato, CEO of Terlato Wines.  "They have earned their leadership position and share our commitment to exceptional quality. Colavita is a trusted, highly sought-after brand with high awareness among luxury food and wine lovers. We are very pleased to be working with the Colavita and Profaci families."

"We knew that the Terlato family would be the ideal partner for our brand," said Enrico Colavita, president of Colavita SpA. "They are the strongest company for marketing luxury wines and their vision for the Colavita wine brand is precisely what we are looking for. We are confident that our partnership with the Terlato family will enhance the Colavita brand."

The Colavita wines will be available nationally beginning in August, and additional wines will be added to the line on future releases. 

Terlato Wines has a global portfolio of more than 65 brands from world class wine producers in more than a dozen countries and currently has a 20 percent market share of wines $20 and up.  According to Nielsen AdViews, Terlato Wines accounts for 43 percent of all advertising dollars in the wine category, making it the number-one wine advertiser. Terlato Wines garners more 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world and is a division of the Terlato Wine Group, the parent company comprising several businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. Owned and operated by the Terlato family for four generations, the Group also includes the family's winery investments and partnerships in some of the world's most esteemed wine regions including: Napa Valley; Sonoma County; Sta. Rita Hills in Santa Barbara County; Victoria, Australia; the Rhone Valley in France and; Montalcino, Italy.

The Terlato Wines portfolio of brands includes: Napa Valley: Chimney Rock, EPISODE, Galaxy, Jack Nicklaus Wines, Luke Donald Collection, Markham Vineyards, Quickfire, Rutherford Hill, Tangley Oaks, Terlato Family Vineyards; Sonoma County:  Alderbrook, Giarrusso, Hanna, Rochioli, The Federalist, Terlato Family Vineyards; Santa Barbara County: Flor de Campo, Sanford; California Appellation: Glass Mountain, Greystone Cellars, Mike Ditka Wines, Seven  Daughters;  Oregon: Sokol Blosser; Washington State: Grace Lane; Argentina: Cuarto Dominio and Tamari; Australia: Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier, the Lucky Country, Twelftree Wines and Two Hands; Austria: Kracher; Canada: Peller Estates; Chile: Lapostolle; France: Belleruche by M. Chapoutier, Champagne Bollinger, Chateau de Sancerre, Chateau Timberlay, Domaine Chanson, Langlois-Chateau, M. Chapoutier, MARIUS and Mischief & Mayhem; Greece: Boutari; Italy: Berlucchi, Ca'Marcanda (GAJA Toscana), Colavita, Cusumano, Fizz 56, GAJA, Goretti, Il Poggione, Mazzoni (Toscana), Nino Franco, Santa Margherita, Tiramisu, Torresella and Distillatori Nonino (Grappa); Japan: Shimizu-no-mai Sake; Mediterranean: Elios; New Zealand: Loveblock, Turning Heads and Wairau River; South Africa: Anthonij Rupert, Ernie Els, Guardian Peak, Protea and Rust en Vrede; Spain: Marco Abella.

SOURCE Terlato Wines