Trinchero Family Estates Forms Alliance with Charles & Charles Wines of Washington State

WALLA WALLA, Wash. & ST. HELENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Charles Smith (K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines) and Charles Bieler (Three Thieves, Bieler Père et Fils & Gotham Project) today announced that they have formed a strategic alliance with Trinchero Family Estates (TFE), which will manage sales, distribution and marketing for their successful joint wine venture, Charles & Charles. This will be the first Washington state brand for TFE, whose growing portfolio includes such iconic brands as Sutter Home, Ménage à Trois and Joel Gott wines.

“I’m thrilled to link up, via Charles & Charles, two great friends in Trinchero Family Estates and Charles Smith.”

Smith and Bieler will continue to direct the winemaking and vision for the brand, sourcing the highest quality grapes from their strong grower relationships throughout Washington State, and crafting and bottling the wines in the Columbia Valley. “This alliance is awesome for Charles & Charles wines and huge for the entire Washington wine industry. It’s very exciting to work with Trinchero given the power of their distribution and sales network,” said Charles Smith.

Bob Torkelson, president and COO of TFE, states, “We are excited to be selected by Charles & Charles to help bring their wine to more consumers throughout US and internationally. Bieler and Smith have created a solid brand with a loyal following and we think it’s a great fit for our portfolio.” Torkelson added, “Washington wines are on fire, and sales of Washington table wines are outpacing total table wine by 53% (5.3% vs. 3.5%).”*

TFE enters this strategic alliance with familiar faces, as Charles Bieler has been working with TFE on the successful Three Thieves brand. Bieler adds, "I’m thrilled to link up, via Charles & Charles, two great friends in Trinchero Family Estates and Charles Smith."

The current Charles & Charles portfolio includes a Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah Red Blend and a Rosé of Syrah (which was #42 on this year’s Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list). The brand has grown and generated considerable demand over the last three years and is outpacing the Washington category by 25.3%.* As for what’s next for the brand, Smith adds, “There’s always something new up our sleeves.”

About Charles Smith

Charles Smith, based in Walla Walla, Wash., is the owner and head of winemaking for K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines and Secco Italian Bubbles. Smith has earned global acclaim including “Best New Wineries of the Last Ten Years” in Wine & Spirits Magazine and “Winery of the Year” in their annual buying guide. Smith was also named “Winemaker of the Year” by Food & Wine magazine (in 2009) and by Seattle magazine (in 2010).

About Charles Bieler

Charles Bieler, based in New York City, is known for being one of the top wine innovators in the industry and began championing rosé in the US market back when it was woefully unpopular. As one of Food & Wine magazine's “Top 40 Big Thinkers under 40,” Charles continues to be a strong force in the beverage world through his Three Thieves partnership with Trinchero, Gotham Project (the category leader in the burgeoning wine on tap sector), Bieler Père et Fils, and Sombra (an artisanal Oaxacan mezcal he co-founded).

About Trinchero Family Estates

TFE is wholly owned and operated by the Trinchero family, Napa Valley vintners since 1948. The portfolio includes more than 30 brands such as Sutter Home, Trinchero Napa Valley, Napa Cellars, Terra d’Oro, Seaglass, Trinity Oaks, Folie à Deux, Ménage à Trois, and the number one alcohol-removed wine, Fre. TFE markets and sells Joel Gott Wines; Bandit, Newman’s Own, and The SHOW. TFE’s import portfolio includes Angove Wines from Australia; Doña Paula wines from Argentina; Carmen Wines from Chile; Shatter Wines from France; and CRUZ and Tres Agaves Tequilas from Mexico. Visit www.tfewines.com to learn more.

*Source: Nielsen, U.S. food/drug/liquor, 52 weeks ending 11/10/12