William Deutsch Named Commandeur of the Ordre National du Merite Agricole

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., Nov. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- William Deutsch, Chairman of W.J. Deutsch & Sons, one of the nation's leading importers and marketers of award-winning wines and spirits from around the world, including George Duboeuf, [yellow tail] and Landy Cognac, today was promoted to Commandeur of the Ordre National du Merite Agricole by the French Government. Deutsch is believed to be the first individual from the tri-state area to have earned this distinction.

Deutsch was presented the medal by Philippe Lalliot, Consul General of France in N.Y. The ceremony took place in front of family and W.J. Deutsch employees at the company's headquarters in White Plains.  

In presenting the honor, Consul General Lalliot praised Deutsch's long-time commitment to the promotion of wine, particularly French wine: "Thanks to close partnerships with French winemakers and distributors, you have been able to provide a considerable contribution to promoting French wine and spirits on American soil. Your energy and wonderful promotional and commercial creativity have made you a particularly efficient French wine ambassador."

W.J. Deutsch was founded 30 years ago by Bill Deutsch to be a family importer of fine wines, promoting and selling family producers to family distributors. The first brands to be represented were the wines of the Sauvion Family, joined shortly thereafter by the wines of Georges Duboeuf and Andre Lurton. In addition to those fine brands, the Deutsch French wine portfolio today includes Pierre Sparr, Vidal-Fleury, HobNob, Patch Block and numerous classified growths.    

The Ordre National du Merite Agricole (National Order of Agricultural Merit) is an order of merit established in France on July 7, 1883, by Minister of Agriculture Jules Meline to reward service to French agriculture. The Order has the ranks of Chevalier, Officier, and Commandeur - the highest distinction of the Order.

Deutsch was named Chevalier on November 27, 1986 and promoted to Officier on September 21, 1992.

Photo - William Deutsch, Chairman of W.J. Deutsch & Sons, receives the Commandeur of the Ordre National du Merite Agricole from Philippe Lalliot, Consul General of France in New York: http://www.ereleases.com/pic/2011-Ordre-National-du-Merite-Agricole.jpg  

About W.J. Deutsch & Sons

W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd. was founded in 1981 by Chairman Bill Deutsch to market quality wines produced by prestigious families from major wine regions of the world. In 2009 Deutsch announced the expansion of the award-winning company to include a separate Spirits Division, W.J. Deutsch Spirits LLC. Deutsch's wines and spirits are sold to the trade with well-planned marketing support and are offered to U.S. consumers at fair market prices. Today the company is renowned for its brand-building prowess and its ability to meet the needs of the modern consumer. Bill's son Peter Deutsch is CEO; thus two generations of the Deutsch family work side by side in their continuous quest to build strong brands and relationships throughout the wine and spirit industry.

The W.J. Deutsch & Sons portfolio includes award-winning wines from Australia: [yellow tail], [yellow tail] The Reserve, [yellow tail] Bubbles; California: Girard Winery, Windsor Sonoma, Sonoma Coast Vineyards, Kunde Estate, Joseph Carr, Josh Cellars; France: Andre Lurton, Georges Duboeuf, Hob Nob Vineyards, Patch Block, Pierre Sparr, Sauvion et Fils, Vidal Fleury; Italy: Barone Fini, Castello di Monastero, Coldisole, Poggio alle Sughere, Lionello Marchesi, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Spain: Mar De Frades (Rias Baixas), Cruz de Alba (Ribera del Duero), Ramon Bilbao Vinos Y Vinedos (Rioja), and Volteo (Castilla); Chile: Llai Llai; Argentina: Ruta 22; and award-winning spirits from Landy Cognac (France), Luksusowa Vodka (Poland), Adult Chocolate Milk and The Original MOONSHINE (USA) and Villa Massa (Italy). http://www.wjdeutsch.com.    

Media Contact:

Laura B. Peet, Director of Public Relations
W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd.
914-251-3294
[email protected]

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SOURCE W.J. Deutsch & Sons, Ltd.