Move Signals Fresh Momentum for Sokol Blosser in Two Priority Markets
Dundee Hills, Ore. and New York, NY – Jan. 31, 2024 – Sokol Blosser Winery, a pioneering family-owned and -operated winery, and Banville Wine Merchants, a family-owned national wholesaler of fine wine, beer and spirits, are pleased to announce their new partnership. Effective Feb. 1, Sokol Blosser and Evolution wines will be represented in New York and New Jersey by Banville Wine Merchants. Banville is now the exclusive distributor for Sokol Blosser in New York, and will share the role with Fedway, a long-time partner of Sokol Blosser.
“We are tremendously excited about making this move,” said Sokol Blosser President Alex Sokol Blosser. “Mike Papaleo and his team at Banville are a great fit for us, with their reach and relationships into the right type of accounts for Sokol Blosser and Evolution wines. The New York / New Jersey markets are a huge priority for any winery, and we have a lot of confidence in the Banville team.”
Mike Papaleo, vice president of Business Development for Banville, cited quality and heritage as two key factors impacting his enthusiasm for Sokol Blosser. “We’re extremely proud about adding one of Willamette Valley’s original wineries to our portfolio. The wines are outstanding and our team is ready to make them more available than ever before across the New York and New Jersey markets.”
Banville will add nine Sokol Blosser wines to its portfolio, including its flagship Dundee Hills Estate Pinot Noir and new Kalita Vineyards Pinot Noir as well as select single-block Pinot Noirs. Also in the mix are Sokol Blosser’s popular Bluebird Brut Sparkling Cuvée, Estate Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Rosé of Pinot Noir (the first Sokol Blosser wine with full ingredient and nutrition information on the label). Banville also will represent six Evolution wines, Sokol Blosser’s second brand.
About Sokol Blosser Winery
As one of the pioneering wineries of the Willamette Valley, Sokol Blosser has played a key role in developing and shaping the now-prominent Oregon wine industry. The winery remains family-owned and -operated, with the second generation now at the helm. Achieving B Corp certification in 2015, the winery crafts wines of world-class quality, produced in a sustainable manner, reflecting the distinctive flavors of the grapes, soil and climate. The winery produces Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Gamay, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, sparkling wines, and small quantities of single block Pinot Noir under its Sokol Blosser brand, and white and red blends, Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling under the Evolution label. Visit http://www.sokolblosser.com/ and follow @sokolblosser on Instagram and Facebook.
About Banville Merchants
Banville Wine Merchants is a female-owned National Importer of fine wine, artisanal beer, and craft spirits from around the world with Wholesale companies in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Virginia, and Oregon. Founded in 2004 with deep roots in Italy, today Banville Wine Merchants represents meticulously selected wineries and distilleries from top-producing regions around the world that share a common belief in integrity, quality, authenticity, and family. For more information, please visit www.BanvilleWine.com.
