Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Miami and Dallas, announced that it has expanded its distribution agreement in 16 additional markets with family owned Sonoma County winery Rodney Strong Wine Estates. This strategic alignment will help further strengthen Rodney Strong’s footprint in the United States and leverage Southern Glazer’s scale, expertise and Proof eCommerce platform to drive growth for its portfolio, the company says.

“Rodney Strong has been on a path of innovation that has fueled their growth and cemented their reputation as a leading producer of luxury wines,” said Wayne E. Chaplin, chief executive officer at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, in a statement. “This expansion further strengthens the relationship between our two family-owned companies, and we look forward to helping them continue to capture additional opportunities across all trade channels.”

Rodney Strong Wine Estates Proprietor Tom Klein added: “For over 5 years we have worked closely and very successfully with Southern Glazer’s. Their customer service focus and Rodney Strong’s commitment to quality make for a powerful combination. We couldn’t be more excited about deepening our relationship into the future.”

Rodney Strong President Carmen Castaldi also shared his thoughts: “For the past five years, Rodney Strong has undergone a rejuvenation ― from replanting our top estate vineyards to the introduction of new and innovative brands, like Knotty Vines and UPSHOT Wines, aimed at capturing the next generation of wine consumers. We have seen the route to market consolidating for many years, and we believe Southern Glazer’s is perfectly poised for success through their strong leadership, national footprint, and digital strategy.”

Gene Sullivan, chief sales and marketing officer for Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits added: “We’ve had a highly successful relationship with Rodney Strong over the past five decades, so we are building on a really great foundation. By working with Southern Glazer’s across our entire national network, we’ll be even better positioned to drive efficiencies and long-term results for all of Rodney Strong’s brands.”