Exclusive: Vintus Launches Its Own New York Distribution Company

New York-based wine importer Vintus is launching a wholesale operation in its home state, effective July 1. The new distributorship, Vintus New York (VNY), will handle the full Vintus lineup as well as brands from outside the portfolio.

“We wanted to take over full responsibility for distribution of our brands in one of the most critical fine wine markets in the world, which is in our backyard,” Vintus president and CEO Michael Quinttus told SND. “We’re responding to what we see as an opportunity for a cutting-edge distribution operation with an exceptional portfolio.”

Vintus, founded in 2004, has a portfolio of some 40 wine estates, including Champagne Bollinger, E. Guigal, Ornellaia, Masseto, Chateau Montelena, Ponzi Vineyards, Pétrus, Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Masciarello, Tommasi, Sandrone, Le Macchiole, Quinta do Noval, Dog Point, Errazuriz, Finca Decero, and others.

Brands from outside the Vintus portfolio that VNY will distribute include Wilde Farm and Ferren Wines from Sonoma, Tilth Wines of California, and Van Volxem from Germany, which has been absent from New York for several years. VNY is currently negotiating with other estates, and expects to add a further 15-20 producers by year-end.

In addition to its wine portfolio, VNY will be building a craft spirits stable—initially with Ginraw and Bonanto, an artisanal gin and amaro from Barcelona that’s currently launching nationally through Vintus.

With the rollout of VNY, Vintus terminates its New York distribution agreement with Monsieur Touton Selection Ltd. It will continue to use Touton in other markets including Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Delaware, and Touton will handle parts of its portfolio New Jersey, Connecticut, and Virginia.

VNY will be led by vice president-general manager Will Sugerman, who joined Vintus in January after eight years at Skurnik Wines & Spirits, where he most recently served as director of sales. Vintus presently has a workforce of 54 people, and VNY will start with 22 of its own employees.

In conjunction with this development, Vintus will relocate its headquarters from Westchester County to New York City. Both Vintus and VNY will occupy a 12,000-square-foot space near Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan. The company’s wines will continue to be warehoused and delivered by longtime Vintus partner Western Carriers.—David Fleming

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