Wineworth Importers has completed a merger with Sogevinus USA that will significantly increase its coast-to-coast national distribution services for all brands in the entire wine and port portfolio of Wineworth. This includes Porto Rocha and Porto Kopke, the first and oldest “Flagship” port house of the Sogevinus group. Wineworth maintains about a 50% USA market share of single-year Colheita tawnies of all brands, for which Sogevinus is the global market leader.

We will continue to ship from Wineworth’s base in Seattle, Washington, with the future opportunity to ship from Sogevinus USA’s developing facilities in New Jersey. Even more important will be the enhanced response to regional distributor marketing needs as a result of expanded support functions throughout the country.

The merger incorporates the marketing and service personnel of a long-term supplier associate in supporting the needs of Wineworth’s growing distributor network. Wineworth added five new eastern states in 2010. In addition to its port wines, Sogevinus USA brings a focus on non-fortified Portuguese and Spanish wines to Wineworth’s portfolio of several Italian and Portuguese wine brands, including Kopke, Quinta dos Roques, Quinta das Maias, Quinta do Correio, Aliança, Marchesi Alfieri, Castello di Verduno, Montelvini, San Osvaldo, and Cabanon.

Established relationships with Wineworth distributors in active standing throughout the USA continue as usual, with account manager relationships maintained regardless of geographic proximity. This includes Wineworth’s philosophy of detailed support services and maintaining pricing throughout the annual year without adjustments for exchange fluctuations with the Euro.

Sogevinus USA is the fourth largest shipper of Portuguese Ports and Douro wines, among 17 shippers. The top five account for 80% of port sales worldwide. Sogevinus has the unique market position among the top Port Houses of having an 80% focus on tawny ports, where the other Houses are largely ruby or vintage port-oriented.

Websites: www.wineworthimporters.com & www.sogevinus.com