The Vintner Group acquires Martin Scott Wines
Consolidation strikes the Empire State: The Vintner Group, the Virginia-based distributor, is acquiring Martin Scott Wines, a distributor based in Lake Success, NY.
Founded in 1990 by Martin Gold and Scott Gerber, Martin Scott Wines has grown to have a thick “book,” distributing wines from about 450 wineries, ranging from Domaine de la Romanée Conti, Bonneau du Martray, and Jacques-Frédéric Mugnier in Burgundy to Ponzi Vineyards and Chateau Montelena from the US.
The Vintner Group, formerly known as The Country Vintner, is an importer and wholesaler of fine wine and spirits. CEO David Townsend has led the company on an acquisition spree of late and the company now has operations in nine states in the mid-Atlantic and southeast. They now add New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to that list. According to Shanken Daily News, the company recapitalized in the mid-2000s and now have Brockway Moran as a private equity partner.
What does this mean for the New York City wine market? If you’re in the trade, share your thoughts in the comments. Here’s a link to the press release.
On June 11th, 2013 at 12:28 am ,gabe wrote:
Tyler,
I noticed the wine blog awards come and go, and saw that you went unnoticed again. For what it’s worth: I read a lot of wine blogs, and I think yours is as good or better as any of the “best blog” nominees. Just wanted you to know that you got my vote.
– gabe
On June 11th, 2013 at 9:22 am ,Dr. Vino wrote:
Thanks for the support, Gabe! And congratulations to all those who won at the awards, particularly the hilarious Hosemaster.
On June 11th, 2013 at 11:41 am ,PhilippeN wrote:
The first thing that can be said: No longer local. The biggest fear: Lauber-redux. The Country Vintner’s CEO is in search of ‘efficiencies’ and the multi-state buying spree feels like a build-to-sell campaign.
On June 13th, 2013 at 10:22 am ,Bill Haydon wrote:
If I was a small importer being represented by Martin Scott, the first thing that I would seriously fear is a total loss of glass pour business as attention is directed away from my lower priced small domaine properties and towards the large quantities of low end bulk and co-op wine being brought in directly to serve that role.
On June 19th, 2013 at 8:52 am ,Brad Haskel wrote:
I don’t see anything to fear. Wineries will remain, or not remain with Martin Scott, based on Martin Scott’s ability to represent them. There are so many alternatives in the NY Metro market, which is a great thing; that if Country Vintner falters (as Lauber did) the wineries and importers have many alternatives for representation on the distributor side. I think it is just an ebb and flow to the market.