Gruet Winery, a top American sparkling wine producer, is proud to announce a sales and marketing partnership forged with Seattle-based Precept Wine, effective immediately. Under the terms of the agreement, Precept Wine will provide sales, marketing, public relations and events services and manage the existing distribution network of Gruet wines throughout the United States.
“Gruet, at 25, profitable and still growing, is at the perfect point to leverage the marketing power of Precept Wine, a million-case-per-year wine company with a strong national footprint,” Nathalie Gruet, company president said. “We have the benefit of keeping every element of our winemaking and talented team intact while expanding on a distribution footprint we have worked very hard to build.”
Parallels between Gruet Winery and Precept Wine also appealed to the family, Ms. Gruet noted, citing that Precept Wine is also a family-owned, private company that is very driven and strategic in its growth. Gruet has experienced double digit growth and is now at an annual case production of 125,000.
World-class winemaker Laurent Gruet took on his father Gilbert Gruet’s legacy of making champagne in France to U.S. soil to realize great success as an American sparkling wine producer. For a quarter century he has unwaveringly adhered to the Methode Champenoise to make wines that most closely resemble French champagne. He underscored the advantages of the Gruet-Precept Wine partnership.
“We are taking the natural next step in elevating the Gruet brand to new heights, building upon our family’s success of the past 25 years,” Winemaker Laurent Gruet said. “Leveraging the full resources of Precept Wine will only enhance my ability to make the best sparkling wine in the world while Precept Wine broadens the marketplace and visibility for Gruet.”
“As big brands proliferate it’s important for family-owned wineries such as ours to embrace new marketing and sales strategies.” Steve Harmon said, chief financial officer for Gruet Winery. “Each of us within the company recognized the potential to further grow Gruet by joining forces with Precept Wine, and we liked what we saw in the hard-working team. This relationship allows Gruet family to concentrate their efforts on growing and producing award-winning sparkling wines, while lending Precept’s portfolio a sparkling jewel unlike anything it currently offers.”
About Precept Wine: Seattle-based Precept Wine is the largest privately held wine producer in the Pacific Northwest and a top 20 American wine producer. With deep roots representing 30 years of Northwest investments in the wine industry, it owns and operates more than 4,200 acres of vineyards across Washington, Idaho and Oregon; such leading wine brands as Waterbrook, Canoe Ridge Vineyard, Apex Cellars, Willow Crest, Ste. Chapelle, HOUSE Wine, Browne Family Vineyards, Pendulum, Primarius, Washington Hills, Shingleback, Red Knot and Chocolate Shop; and tasting rooms and hospitality throughout the Northwest. Founded in 2003 by Andrew Browne, the company’s wineries have garnered more than 500 combined best buys and critical scores exceeding 90 points. Learn more at www.preceptwine.com.
About Gruet Winery: Celebrating its 25th year producing outstanding American sparkling wines that adhere to strict Methode Champenoise guidelines, Gruet Winery was founded on the vision and passion of French winemaker and patriarch Gilbert Gruet, making sparkling wine in the U.S. that most resembles French champagne. This esteemed American sparkling wine producer currently makes approximately 125,000 cases annually, including seven non-vintage and three vintage wines that retail for $15 to $46. Gruet wines are sold in 49 states, Asia and the Caribbean and can be found in the country’s finest restaurants, retail outlets, online and through its destination tasting room and winery located at 8400 Pan American FWY NE, Albuquerque, NM. The Gruet family’s passion for winemaking over the past 25 years has given people around the world a quality, luxury product at a great value. Learn more at www.gruetwinery.com.
