California is an acclaimed wine production center and the core of the American wine industry. California winemakers have, in fact, introduced a new winemaking style, challenging the European tradition. Contrary to prestigious European wine-making countries, such as France, Italy, and Germany, in California, the emphasis falls on the fruitiness of the wines, rather than their complexity. That said, many California wineries produce hand-crafted wines with incredible depth.
But why do grapevines in California produce such high-quality fruit? That happens because they receive maximum sunlight, as combinations of warm, bright sun and cooling influences from the Atlantic Ocean define the region. The constant burst of intense summer sunshine leads to grapes with increased flavor compounds and sugar levels. Consequently, California is renowned for producing fruit-forward wines with concentrated and plush flavors.
California is not just about the Napa Valley wineries, though. There are myriads of California wine distributors and importers from other areas, too. Most of whom handle fine and vintage wines. Some are located in San Francisco, while others are found in downtown Los Angeles. However, all of them have made their mark in shaping the Californian wine industry and, to an extent, the American wine market, as well.
This article presents the top 10 wine distributors in California. Here they are:
Young’s Market Co
- Founded: 1888
- Country: United States
- Headquarters: Tustin, California
- CEO: Christopher Underwood
Originally a liquor warehouse, Young’s Market is a family-owned wine distributor in Tustin, California. Founded in 1888, Young’s Market strives to become a leader in the wholesale and distribution of wine, spirits, and beverages. So far, it serves 663 wineries across 11 Western States. It employs more than 3,000 people, and it reports annual revenue of more than $3 billion. The Underwood family, part of the Young family, bought the company, becoming the sole proprietors of Young’s Market.
Wine Warehouse
- Founded: 1973
- Country: United States
- Headquarters 1: Richmond, California
- Headquarters 2: Los Angeles, California
- CEO: James P. Myerson
Like most wineries on the list, Wine Warehouse is family-owned and operates as a wholesale distributor of wine, spirits, and beer for California. Wine Warehouse is among the most respected wine distributors in Northern California. That said, it is headquartered in Southern California, too. It began operations in 1973. Back then, it started with just a single container of French Burgundy. 40 years later, Wine Warehouse is considered a leading light in premium beverages, and it also offers over 10,000 wines, spirits, and beers in California State.
A deep passion for quality runs characterizes Wine Warehouse. This enthusiasm enables the people behind the company to consistently deliver premium quality wines, craft beers, and artisan spirits to the American consumer. Since 1978, Wine Warehouse has also represented nearly half the bonded wineries in Napa Valley. The consistency of effective and dynamic distribution led the wine firm to distribute beverages to 104 California wineries, an impressive number.
Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants
- Founded: 1973
- Country: United States
- Headquarters 1: Napa Valley, California
- Headquarters 2: Honolulu, Hawaii
- President: Suzanne Chambers
Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants is an importer and distributor of fine wine. It has offices in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Hawaii. In fact, with such an outstanding portfolio of domestic and imported wines from around the world, Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants is one of the best wine distributors in San Francisco, serving over 290 domestic wineries and 15 countries.
Since 1973, when the company booked its first sale, pre-selling French wine, Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants has grown exponentially. In the beginning, the company was one of the small wine distributors in California, buying and selling containers of European wine. But as time went by, it started to represent some of the largest estates in Burgundy. Since then, the firm’s portfolio has grown to include wines of California, Spain, Madeira, Italy, Argentina, and New Zealand.
Now, Chambers & Chambers Wine Merchants consider themselves an ambassador of some of the finest wines of both the Old and New World, targeting the California market looking for ultra-premium wine. As a final note, the company mainly distributes wines to restaurants and independent retailers.
Megawine, Inc.
- Founded: 2002
- Country: United States
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
Megawine, Inc. is a Los Angeles-based wines and spirits importer and distributor of premium wines and spirits. Megawine, Inc is dedicated to discovering and delivering wines from California, Italy, France, the Iberian Peninsula, Germany, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. It presents to the American consumer only premium wines with exceptional taste and an attractive appearance. On top of that, Megawine, Inc. markets spirits from the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, Mexico, Italy, and Holland. And because it acts as its own importer and distributor, there are no middlemen involved in the distribution process.
Golden State Wine Co.
- Founded: 2002
- Country: United States
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
- CEO: Mike Miller
Founded in 1982 by Mike Miller, Golden State Wine Co. is mainly an importer and wholesaler of premium and limited-production wines in California. However, the company acts as a wine broker, too. Golden State Wine Co. selects wines that meet strict criteria for value and quality. In other words, it markets exclusively, remarkable quality and sophisticated wines.
Since its inception, the wine portfolio of Golden State Wine Co. has grown to such an extent that it represents over 100 premium brands from 10 different countries. With such an expansive selection of fine wines and spirits that range from some of the most prestigious and sought-after wines of the world to hidden gems, Golden State Wine Co. has definitely shaped the California wine industry.
Back in 2008, the wine firm invested in Europvin SAS. This business entity is a Bordeaux-based exporter of world-class quality wines to over 50 countries, including most international major wine markets. With close cooperation, the two companies formed Europvin USA, a new import division, creating a nationwide distribution network that reaches every wine market in North America.
Titan Wine Selections
- Founded: 2010
- Country: United States
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
- CEO: Alex Guarachi
Titan Wine Selections is a wholesaler fine wine distributor, that has been operating in California since 2010.
With a vast portfolio representing a great range of exceptional brands from California and an extended portfolio of imported wines, formed from partnerships with leading importers, Titan Wine Selections is considered one of the best wine distributors of Southern California. Frankly, Titan Wine Selections is such a dynamic California distributor that has, hands down, one of the greatest wine portfolios statewide. Plus, with an experienced sales team serving a wide customer base of wine bars, fine dining restaurants, and retailers, Titan Wine Selections is destined to keep growing and offering more premium wines.
As a side note, before January 2014, Titan Wine Selections was known as Titan Wine and Spirits. The reason behind the name change was to emphasize the company’s commitment to bringing some of the best boutique wineries from around the world to the California wine market.
The name change also accompanied a new logo. This reinforced the notion that Titan Wine Selection is an exclusive fine wine firm, by paying homage to the wine. In addition, this rebrand followed the acquisition of Angeles Wine Agency, a statewide wholesale distributor of fine wines, which added connections to outstanding producers from France, Spain, Italy, South America, and the United States.
Veritas Vineyards and Winery
- Founded: 1999
- Country: United States
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
- CEO: George Hodson
Born out of Andrew and Patricia Hodson’s passion for wine in 1999, Veritas Winery has been committed to producing quality wine from the get-go. With about 50 acres of vineyards in the Monticello wine region, Veritas has a complex wine portfolio ranging from refreshing sparkling to balanced red wines. In fact, every wine bottle is undeniably expressive of the terroir of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Consequently, Veritas has grown to be a significant importer of fine and rare wines from exclusive international sources and producer of high-quality domestic ones.
With a simple philosophy of striving to give each grape variety a balanced expression. It focuses on cultural practices – the wine firm combines traditional viticulture principles with innovation and technology, capturing the true essence of each varietal.
Veritas Winery serves as a wholesale dealer and distributes wines to New York, California, Arizona, Colorado, Washington, D.C., Nevada, and Illinois. But above everything else, the company works with the hotel industry and selective retailers. Veritas carefully ships its high-quality wines in specialized refrigerated containers. And, at the same time, it keeps its stocks in temperature and humidity-controlled warehouses, too. The firm has attained a vast inventory of wine bottles from at least 500 acclaimed producers, making it one of the largest wine distributors in the United States.
Paul M. Young Fine Wines
- Founded: 2006
- Country: United States
- Headquarters 1: Los Angeles, California
- Headquarters 2: San Francisco, California
- Headquarters 3: Santa Barbara, Ventura, and Palm Springs, California
- Headquarters 4: Monterey and Santa Cruz, California
- CEO: Paul M. Young
Paul M. Young Fine Wines is a California-based distributor and importer of hand-crafted wines from the United States and France. They focus on delivering wines from growers who respect viticulture and produce wines expressive of the terroir.
The story of Paul M. Young Fine Wines is one of friendship and a passion for wine. Founder Paul M. Young used to work in the film and music industries for years before following his passion for wine. He started as a broker for California wineries, and afterward, he was approached to represent wholesale distributor Union Wine Co., which had a portfolio that included Classical Wines (Germany and Spain), VinDivino (Italy and Austria), and Weygandt-Metzler Importing (Australia and France).
Paul M. Young was influenced by the Hospice du Rhône festival, held annually in Paso Robles. There, he met several winemakers from around the world and became friends with some of them. Soon after, Union Wine Co. went out of business. So, Young became the distributor for Weygandt-Metzler, until, thanks to a meeting with François Villard, noted vigneron from Condrieu and Cote Rotie, he decided to start importing wine to California. In 2006, Paul M. Young Fine Wines was established and quickly attained a vast portfolio of over 40 producers.
Los Angeles Wine Company Inc
- Founded: 1982
- Country: United States
- Headquarters: Los Angeles, California
- President: Steven Bialek
Since 1982, when it was founded, Los Angeles Wine Company Inc. has provided some of the finest wines at the most affordable prices. It harbors an unchanged concept based on the premise that every one of their wines is selected for the best cost to quality ratio. In this way, Los Angeles Wine Company Inc. has managed to gain a foothold in the California wine market.
Every month, employees of the company participate in selected wine tastings. These representatives taste at least 200 wines, choosing less than 10% from the submitted samples. In this way they obtain the best pricing on the selected wines. So, Los Angeles Wine Company Inc. ensures wines of the highest possible quality at an approachable and competitive price. Additionally, buying great quality wine and slashing the price to the bone is only a part of their approach in wine distribution. They change and turn their inventory once a month, too.
Importers Direct Wholesales Co.
- Founded: 1998
- Country: United States
- Headquarters: Glendale, Los Angeles, California
- CEO: Greg Gekchyn
Importers Direct Wholesales Co. is a renowned importer and distributor of wines, spirits, and beverages in Los Angeles.
Founded in 1998, Importers Direct Wholesales Co. has made a name for itself by establishing personal service with suppliers, wholesalers, and consumers and providing customers with exceptional quality products at affordable prices.
Conclusion
These are some of the best wine distributors in California. Sure, there are countless more, but, in our opinion, these offer the best quality wine at the most affordable price. Plus, most of them have a substantial history in the wine trade, too. To sum it up, you cannot go wrong with any of these wine firms.
