Lake Bluff, Ill.-based Terlato Wines International, a U.S. marketer of premium wines and spirits, announced a partnership with Heartland Distillers, Indianapolis, to jointly produce and market a collection of premium American craft spirits. This represents the newest addition to the Terlato artisan spirits portfolio.

"When we started building our artisan spirits portfolio, we knew it would need to include a selection of unique and distinctive handcrafted American spirits," said Terlato Wines Chief Executive Officer William A. Terlato in a statement. "Small-batch American spirits are one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic categories in the U.S. drinks market, especially with millennials. We have been looking for a distillery partner who has the knowledge and passion to craft exceptional spirits of the highest quality and character. Our partnership and co-development of spirits with Heartland Distillers marks our entry into the luxury American craft spirits segment."

Heartland Distillers is Indiana's first distillery opened after Prohibition ended in 1933 and is working to renew the state’s 200-year-old distilling heritage, according to the company. Heartland uses locally grown ingredients, time-tested techniques and modern technology to produce high-quality spirits, it says.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Terlato family," said Stuart Hobson, Heartland Distillers founder and master distiller, in a statement. "My personal passion and quest to distill exceptional spirits in my home state of Indiana led me to start Heartland Distillers. The partnership with Terlato Artisan Spirits is an exciting step in this journey, and we look forward to collaborating with the Terlato family and their team to produce products that speak to the terroir and history of Indiana distillation."

Terlato and Heartland Distillers expect to launch their first offering, Prohibition Gin, in late 2014, followed by Spring Mill whiskey and bourbon in 2015.