Importer of Australian and New Zealand wine Negociants USA has agreed to merge with the US wine and spirits importer and distributor Winebow Group with a new portfolio focusing on Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Negociants USA will continue to retain its name, as well as wineries from its existing portfolio, including Yalumba and their family-owned estate wines from Australia.

Additionally, Negociants USA will focus on wines from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa that are currently being represented by The Winebow Group’s Craft and Estate import division.

The importer will benefit from increased infrastructure, operations and sales support from the Winebow Group.

The Winebow Group president and CEO David Townsend said: “I am thrilled to welcome the talented Negociants USA team to The Winebow Group.

“For over thirty years, their pioneering efforts have brought a wonderful range of Australian wines to the US and have led the way for what we believe is a pivotal moment of growth for the category.

“With the coming together of these amazing family estates into one portfolio, we are confident that wine drinkers in the US will continue to embrace these wines from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.”

“With our combined efforts and the coming together of these amazing family estates into one portfolio, we are confident that wine drinkers in the US will continue to embrace these wines from Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.”

As a result of this merger, Negociants USA will become Winebow Group’s fourth national import division and will join the other divisions including Craft and Estate, Leonardo LoCascio Selections and MundoVino.

Negociants USA chairman Robert Hill-Smith said: “Our many discussions with The Winebow Group have independently led us to the conclusion that a collaboration with a major national importer would further both the national key account and multi-channel coverage our brand principals are seeking.

“We have an excellent and longstanding relationship with The Winebow Group in many of their distribution markets, and know that their philosophy, fine wine culture, and forward-thinking perfectly aligns with ours making this alliance a natural progression in our quest to be a market leader of Australian, New Zealand, and now South African fine wines.”