E. & J. Gallo Winery (Gallo) has secured exclusive rights to distribute New Zealand's Saint Clair Family Estate wines in the US.

Saint Clair Family Estate is the latest addition to Gallo's premium wine import portfolio. The Gallo portfolio consists of over 80 brands, including Barefoot Cellars, Dark Horse, and Gallo Family Vineyards, as well as premium box wines including The Naked Grape and Vin Vault. 

Its other premium offerings include Apothic, Carnivor, Chateau Souverain, Columbia Winery, Ecco Domani, Edna Valley Vineyard, J Vineyards & Winery, Louis M. Martini.

Saint Clair Family Estate produces Sauvignon Blanc in the Marlborough region of New Zealand, and a US-wide roll-out of its products is expected in Q1, 2018.

Gallo's premium wine division senior vice president and general manager Roger Nabedian said: "Saint Clair Family Estate is well-known around the world and we are excited to introduce this award-winning Sauvignon Blanc to American consumers."

"US-wide roll-out is expected in Q1, 2018."

Saint Clair Family Estate currently owns 15 vineyards, which are located in Wairau, Awatere, the Omaka Valleys of Marlborough; and Hawkes Bay. It was founded by owners Neal and Judy Ibbotson in 1978.

Neal Ibbotson said: "Saint Clair Family Estate is thrilled to have entered a partnership with E. & J. Gallo Winery as the exclusive national distributor for the Saint Clair brand in the US.

"We share many of the same values, family, passion and quality, and the move is an exciting opportunity for us to further develop our brand in the US market."

The Saint Clair Family Estate Sauvignon Blanc retails for $28 in the US.