June 10, 2024; Melbourne, Australia – Darren Rathbone, CEO and Winemaker for Australia-based Rathbone Wine Group (RWG), is pleased to announce that Lieber Fine Wines & Spirits will handle distribution of its portfolio of celebrated Australian wines in New York and New Jersey. Rathbone Wine Group was founded in 1996, and today encompasses three historic estates: Yering Station in Victoria’s Yarra Valley, Mount Langi Ghiran in Victoria’s Grampians region and Xanadu in Margaret River, Western Australia.
“At Rathbone Wine Group, we are dedicated to crafting wines of quality and distinction that embody their respective cool-climate regions,” says Rathbone. “We are thrilled to partner with Lieber Fine Wines & Spirits to represent our diverse selection of terroir-focused wines in New York and New Jersey through their valued retail and restaurant relationships.”
Lieber Fine Wines & Spirits was founded in 1998 on the principle that quality and price is what drives strong business. Its dedication to maintaining positive relationships within the markets it serves has been instrumental in establishing the company as a trusted partner in the wine and spirits industry since its inception.
“There is a renewed interest in cool-climate, site-specific wines from Australia in the market,” says Larry Lieberman, General Manager of Lieber Fine Wines & Spirits. “We are so excited to work with Rathbone Wine Group to bring these award-winning wines to consumers in New York and New Jersey.”
Rathbone Wine Group was first established by wine-loving brothers Doug and Graeme Rathbone when they acquired Yering Station in 1996. Since 2008, Rathbone Wine Group has been under the leadership of Doug’s son, Darren Rathbone, CEO and Winemaker. Today, each winery under the Rathbone Wine Group umbrella has earned a reputation for high quality wines at competitive price points for wines of place and have achieved official certification by Sustainable Winegrowing Australia in both the vineyards and the winery.
In addition to distributing the portfolio in New York and New Jersey, Rathbone Wine Group has engaged Swirl Bev, a division of Lieber Fine Wines & Spirits, as their US national importer.
Beyond New York and New Jersey, the Rathbone Wine Group’s wines are distributed in California (Atrium Wine Brokers), Colorado (VinMarket), Delaware & Maryland (DOPS), Georgia (Empire Distributing), Illinois (Pure Wine Company), Indiana, Kentucky & Ohio (Vanguard Wines), Massachusetts & New Hampshire (Ruby Wines), Oklahoma (Premium Brands), Texas (Virtuoso Wine & Spirits), Virginia & Washington D.C (Dionysos Imports), Wisconsin (Pure Wine Co) and Puerto Rico (Pan American Wines & Spirits).
About Rathbone Wine Group
Established in 1996, the Rathbone Wine Group is a leading family-owned Australian fine wine group. Owned by the Rathbone family, its owners include Darren Rathbone (CEO & Group Winemaker), Doug Rathbone (Chairman) and Brad Rathbone (Export Director). Leading the group’s guiding vision, the family are also involved in running the day to-day business operations alongside their passionate and committed team. Headquartered in Melbourne, the group comprises acclaimed cool climate wineries Yering Station, Mount Langi Ghiran and Xanadu. Operations include viticulture, winemaking, tourism and hospitality. Each winery owns hectares of vines, state-of-the-art winemaking facilities and beautiful estates that are open to visitors.
Yering Station is the crown jewel of the Yarra Valley. With vines first planted in 1838, Yering Station was Victoria’s first vineyard and has today emerged as one of the most respected producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Australia. Presently, the estate is comprised of five vineyard sites across Yarra Glen and Coldstream sub-regions, with 12 varieties planted to more than 27 clones.
Mount Langi Ghiran is an Australian pioneer in cool climate Shiraz and was acquired by the Rathbone Family in 2002. Since the late 1960s, Mount Langi Ghiran has been committed to a distinctively vibrant, spicy and elegant Shiraz afforded by a fortunate alignment of natural elements in the remote and rugged Grampians region of southeastern Australia.
Xanadu in Margaret River was acquired by the Rathbone Family in 2005. Located in the secluded south-west corner of Australia, the region is surrounded on three sides by the Indian Ocean and sheltered by forests of majestic Marri, Jarrah and Karri trees. These natural surroundings allow for moderate ripening throughout the growing season, ideal for producing exemplary Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay
For more information on Rathbone Wine Group, please visit https://
