Moet Hennessy USA Announces New Representation for its Spirits, Wine and Champagne Portfolio in Control States

NEW YORK, June 30, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Moet Hennessy USA, the leading importer and marketer of luxury wines, spirits and champagnes in the U.S.,  announced today that it has signed a new agreement with Southern Wine & Spirits of America Inc. (Southern), making Southern the exclusive national broker of its portfolio in the 18 Control States.  

"Moet Hennessy USA is pleased to announce this new partnership with Southern Wine and Spirits," said Jim Clerkin, President and CEO of Moet Hennessy USA. "We are continually looking to improve efficiency in our route to market, and with the dedicated resources and support provided by Southern Wine & Spirits for our brands, and our track record of partnering effectively, I am confident that we will continue to deliver on our commitment to building luxury brands with a strong consumer focus. We have worked with Southern to ensure that Moet Hennessy USA will realize the next phase of our route to market strategy and this streamlined approach will position us well for future growth."

With the new agreements, Southern will have the exclusive right to represent Moet Hennessy USA spirit brands in Alabama, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming.  States included for the wine and champagne brands are Mississippi, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. The agreement does not include Montgomery County or Worcester County, Maryland, as those counties are covered by Moet Hennessy's current Maryland distributor.

In addition to a simplified, more-efficient leadership structure, the new agreements will provide for a number of key improvements. These will include enhancements to the teams representing Moet Hennessy's brands, such as increased focus on multicultural and on-premise marketing--two areas that are designated as key priorities for future growth.  

Wayne Chaplin, President and Chief Operating Officer of Southern Wine & Spirits, said, "We are extremely honored to have been chosen as the exclusive broker for Moet Hennessy USA in all 18 control states.  Ours has been a relationship built on shared goals and a deep sense of pride for the portfolio of brands represented.  Leveraging our existing 20-state relationship, including 11 control states, there is no doubt that the addition of the remaining seven control states will result in new levels of coordination, growth and success for the two companies," added Chaplin.

About Moet Hennessy USA:

MOET HENNESSY USA is the leading importer and marketer of luxury wines, spirits and champagnes in the U.S. The Moet Hennessy portfolio includes renowned brands such as: Hennessy Cognac; Moet & Chandon, Dom Perignon, Krug, Veuve Clicquot and Ruinart champagnes; Belvedere vodka; 10 Cane Rum; Grand Marnier; Glenmorangie and Ardbeg single malt Scotch whiskies; and fine wines, including Chateau d'Yquem, Cheval des Andes, Terrazas de Los Andes, Cape Mentelle, Cloudy Bay, Newton Vineyard and Domaine Chandon California sparkling among others. Moet Hennessy has a strong consumer focus with an uncompromising commitment to building luxury brands. CONTACT: Samantha Barnes for Moet Hennessy USA, 212-251-8430 or [email protected].

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.:

Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation's largest wine and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 33 markets. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Vermont, Virginia and West Virginia—as well as the additional seven states of Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Utah through the Southern-Odom/Spirits West partnership. In addition, Southern has a presence in Maryland and the District of Columbia through a joint venture with F.P. Winner Wine & Spirits as well as a joint venture operation in Minnesota with J.J. Taylor Distributing Company. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas, and pending regulatory approval will be entering the states of Iowa and Michigan as part of the national Diageo and Moet Hennessy USA brokerage agreements. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 11,000 team members. For more information, see: http://www.southernwine.com.

SOURCE Moet Hennessy USA