Terlato Wines in Long-Term Deal with Marnier-Lapostolle Inc. to Import and Market Lapostolle and Chateau de Sancerre Wines

LAKE BLUFF, Ill., May 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Adding to its world-class international luxury wine portfolio, Terlato Wines today announced an exclusive, long-term agreement with Marnier-Lapostolle Inc. to import and market the renowned Lapostolle wines from Chile and Chateau de Sancerre from the Loire Valley France. 

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"We are very excited to reach this agreement with Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, founders of Lapostolle," said Terlato Wines President and CEO William A. Terlato. "I have visited Chile several times to explore the right Chilean brand to add to our portfolio. After visiting Lapostolle and tasting their exceptional wines, I knew immediately that it was the brand for our family to represent."

Terlato said subsequent meetings with Alexandra and Cyril convinced him that both families shared the same values and convictions on how luxury wine brands need to be developed in the U.S. market.

"As we discussed, shared thoughts and tasted the wines," said Terlato, "the more evident it became that we are the right long-term fine wine partner to help Alexandra and Cyril realize the vision and aspirations they have for the Lapostolle and Chateau de Sancerre brands in the U.S. market."

Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and Cyril de Bournet founded Lapostolle in 1994, with the goal to create world-class wines by combining superb terroirs of Chile with French experience and expertise. Lapostolle was a pioneer in developing the Apalta region, a small part of the Colchagua Valley that is now considered Chile's first grand cru. Lapostolle's Clos Apalta flagship red wine, introduced in 1999 and awarded the #1 wine of the year by Wine Spectator in 2008, has consistently received critical praise and is widely considered to be among the world's finest red wines. Today, Lapostolle owns more than 900 acres in three different vineyards and produces over 200,000 cases annually. The U.S. is the company's No. 1 market.

"I know personally that the Terlato family and their team are well suited to develop Lapostolle at its best in the U.S.," Marnier Lapostolle said. "We introduced Lapostolle wines in the U.S. in 1995 and have had much success. Since that time, we've continued to invest in our vineyards and winemaking, focusing on organic and biodynamic practices."

The result, Marnier Lapostolle said, is wines of even greater depth, complexity and overall quality.

"Our long-term investment and quality approach needs the right partner for our most important market and I believe that the Terlato family and the entire Terlato Wines organization have the experience, expertise and luxury wine knowledge to continue to grow our brand," she said.

Terlato Wines will import and market the full range of Lapostolle wines—the current Casa, Cuvee Alexandre and Collection tiers. Terlato will also launch the newest Lapostolle wine, Canto de Apalta, which is inspired by the red wine blend of the flagship Clos Apalta.  

Chateau de Sancerre wines from the Loire Valley are owned by the Marnier Lapostolle family.  In 1919, Louis-Alexandre Marnier Lapostolle, creator of GRAND MARNIER, bought the chateau and its vineyards as a tribute to the city where he was born.  Chateau de Sancerre wines are produced and bottled directly at the chateau and is the only Sancerre wine which can be commercialized under the exclusive name of "Chateau de Sancerre." The wines include: Chateau de Sancerre Blanc, Chateau de Sancerre Rouge and Chateau de Sancerre Cuvee du Connetable.

The Terlato portfolio includes wine brands from a wide range of world-class regions, from classic European appellations to newer winegrowing areas developing world class reputations thanks to vineyard and winery owners like Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle.

"Adding Lapostolle to our portfolio gives us a leadership position for luxury Chilean wines," Terlato said. "Our efforts for Lapostolle will only strengthen the already positive perception for today's luxury wine consumer, giving us a broader appellation footprint in which to lead the luxury wine category in the U.S.

Lapostolle is one of the most dynamic and influential premium wine producers in Chile.  Founded in 1994, this family-owned winery was created by Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle and her husband, Cyril de Bournet, members of the Marnier Lapostolle legacy renowned for the production of Grand Marnier, KAPPA Pisco and French wines from their Loire estate Chateau de Sancerre.

The world-class quality delivered in every bottle of Lapostolle is a result of the superb Chilean terroir paired alongside rigorous French vineyard expertise practiced at the three Lapostolle vineyard sites in Casablanca, Cachapoal and Colchagua.  To no surprise, the four unique labels produced – Casa, Cuvee Alexandre, Borobo and Clos Apalta – are consistently highly rated in the most influential wine trade publications.

The top-notch experience goes beyond a glass of Lapostolle wine being poured.  In 2011 the luxurious Lapostolle Residence, consisting of 4 private casitas (villas), was named the first Relais & Chateaux property in Chile – is a demarcation signifying the creme de la creme of the hospitality industry.  With deluxe accommodations offering exceptional vineyard and mountain views of Chile, a creative and well-mastered culinary program and beautifully crafted wines, Lapostolle Residence is the first Relais & Chateaux property in Chile.  For more information please visit www.lapostolle.com

Terlato Wines International (TWI) has a global portfolio of more than 50 brands from an array of world class wine producers and presently markets more than one out of ten bottles of wine over $14 sold in America. According to Nielsen AdViews, Terlato Wines accounts for 29 percent of all advertising dollars spent among Luxury Wine companies-the leader in the category. TWI garners more 90+ ratings than any wine company in the world and is a division of the Terlato Wine Group, the parent company comprising several businesses specializing in the marketing and production of exceptional wines. Owned and operated by the Terlato family for four generations, the Group also includes the family's winery investments and partnerships in some of the world's most esteemed wine regions, including: Napa Valley; Sonoma County; Santa Barbara County; Victoria, Australia; the Rhone Valley in France; and Montalcino, Italy.

The Terlato Wines International portfolio of brands includes: Napa Valley: Chimney Rock, EPISODE, Galaxy, Jack Nicklaus Wines, Luke Donald Collection, Markham Vineyards, Quickfire, Rutherford Hill, Tangley Oaks and Terlato Family Vineyards; Sonoma County: Alderbrook, Giarrusso, Hanna, Hideaway Creek, Rochioli, The Federalist and Terlato Family Vineyards; Santa Barbara County: Sanford and Tangley Oaks; California Appellation: Glass Mountain, Greystone Cellars and Seven Daughters; Oregon: Sokol Blosser; Italy: Berlucchi, Ca' Marcanda (GAJA Toscana), Fizz56, GAJA, Il Poggione, Kettmeir, Mazzoni (Toscana), Santa Margherita, Tiramisu, Torresella and Distillatori Nonino (Grappa); France: Champagne Bollinger, Chateau de Sancerre, Chateau-Timberlay, M. Chapoutier, Domaine Chanson, Langlois-Chateau, MARIUS, Mischief and Mayhem; Austria: Kracher; Australia: Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier, The Lucky Country and Two Hands; Argentina: Cuarto Domino and Tamari; Chile: Lapostolle; Canada: Peller Estates Icewine; Greece: Boutari; Mediterranean: Elios; New Zealand: Wairau River; South Africa: Anthonij Rupert, Ernie Els Wines, Guardian Peak and Rust En Vrede; Japan: Shimizu-no-mai Sake.

SOURCE Terlato Wines