Empire Merchants Appointed Distributor of Banfi Vintners Portfolio in Metro New York
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Empire Merchants, a member of The Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG), one of the nation’s leading distributors of fine wines and spirits, proudly announces that it has been named distributor for Banfi Vintners in Metro New York. The exclusive partnership between Banfi Vintners and Empire Merchants is confirmed to take effect October 1, 2009.
“It is a great honor that Banfi Vintners has selected us to distribute their portfolio in New York City,” said Charles Merinoff, The Charmer Sunbelt Group’s Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “With this new affiliation, The Charmer Sunbelt Group becomes the sole distributor for Banfi Vintners throughout New York State, as we have represented the Banfi Vintners portfolio in upstate New York for several years. CSG and Banfi believe this move will enhance their position in the market and accelerate the growth of Banfi’s exceptional brands.”
Banfi Vintners, owned by the Mariani family of Long Island, NY, ranks among the nation’s top three importers of fine wines. Speaking on his family’s behalf, James Mariani, Banfi Vintners’ co-CEO, remarked: “Empire Merchants and Banfi have a combined 165 years as successful New York family businesses. With over 9,000 licensed on- and off-premise accounts, the New York Metro area is a unique community of licensed proprietors. We will enjoy reaching out to all who love fine wines.”
The union reinforces the companies’ long-term relationship, as CSG also distributes the Banfi Vintners portfolio in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, and South Carolina.
About The Charmer Sunbelt Group
The Charmer Sunbelt Group (CSG) is one of the nation’s leading distributors of fine wines and spirits. A group of privately-held companies, CSG operates local distributor and/or brokerage houses in 14 markets – Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and The District of Columbia. Together, these companies employ more than 7,000 associates who bring to market some of the most valuable and well-known consumer brands in the world. CSG is a family-owned business that proudly serves as the critical link between wine and spirit suppliers, and the retail outlets where alcoholic beverage brands are legally and responsibly sold and enjoyed. For more information about CSG, please visit www.charmer-sunbelt.com.
About Banfi Vintners
Established in 1919 and celebrating its 90th anniversary this year, Banfi Vintners constitutes America’s oldest family wine importer in continuous business. In addition to recent new affiliations with Italy’s Bolla and Fontana Candida wineries, announced earlier this year, Banfi Vintners represents Castello Banfi, Vigne Regali, Cantine Cooperative Riunite, Maschio Prosecco, Cecchi Family Estates, Sartori di Verona and Florio Marsala from Italy, as well as Concha y Toro and Viñedos Emiliana in Chile, Trivento in Argentina, Wisdom & Warter Sherries from Spain, and Stone’s Ginger Wine (UK). For information on the Banfi Vintners portfolio, visit www.banfivintners.com
Contact:
The Charmer Sunbelt GroupPaige Kimos Odabashian, 212-699-7005podabashian@c-sg.com
Source: The Charmer Sunbelt Group