Global drinks company Pernod Ricard USA announced today it will purchase assets related to Kenwood Vineyards in Sonoma Valley, CA, from F Korbel & Bros. Founded in 1979, Kenwood produces a portfolio of premium Sonoma wines distributed primarily in the U.S. and Canada.
The deal, which is expected to close before June 30, strengthens the position of Pernod Ricard’s wine business in the U.S., according to Pernod Ricard USA CEO Bryan Fry. The company’s wine brands include Deadbolt, Jacob’s Creek, Brancott Estate, Graffigna and Campo Viejo, as well as Perrier-Jouet and G.H. Mumm.
In other Pernod Ricard USA news, the company announced that it expanded its relationship with Southern Wine & Spirits to 33 states and appointed Republic National Distributing Co. as its exclusive distributor in eight markets as of July 1. RNDC will represent Pernod Ricard spirits and wine brands in Texas, Louisiana, Maryland (including Montgomery County), Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota and Washington D.C. RNDC will also sell Pernod Ricard Wines in Virginia and in Georgia and New Mexico under National Distributing Company.
With the addition of Alabama, Michigan, Mississippi and Ohio, Southern Wine & Spirits of America becomes the exclusive spirits broker for Pernod Ricard USA in all 17 Control State markets. What’s more, Southern will represent Pernod Ricard spirits and wine brands in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, South Carolina and Washington.
