Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer’s) has expanded its distribution agreement with French winemaker Gérard Bertrand to five more markets in the US.

Southern Glazer’s will now distribute Bertrand’s wine products to Arizona, California, Hawaii, Utah and Wyoming, in addition to the existing 28 markets in the US.

The expanded distribution agreement became effective 1 January 2019.

This agreement provides Gérard Bertrand access to Southern Glazer’s national accounts reach and coverage.

Southern Glazer’s senior vice-president and wine division president Mel Dick said: “Gérard Bertrand has been a valued supplier for nearly a decade.

“This national alignment enables us to more effectively and efficiently drive growth for Gérard Bertrand’s world-class wine portfolio.”

“This expansion further strengthens the relationship between our two family-owned companies, and we look forward to building on this great foundation to help them continue to grow and capture additional opportunities across all retail channels.”

Southern Glazer’s wine division executive vice-president and general manager Steve Slater said: “We are excited about the opportunity to share Gérard Bertrand’s fine wines from the South of France with consumers on the west coast of the US. This national alignment enables us to more effectively and efficiently drive growth for Gérard Bertrand’s world-class wine portfolio.”

For Gérard Bertrand brand, the alignment with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is seen as a strategic move to boost its footprint in the US markets.

In June 2018, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits Canada signed a ten-year distribution agreement with Iceberg Vodka as well as agreed to distribute Eastside Distilling’s Redneck Riviera Whiskey throughout Washington, US.

Southern Glazer’s operates in 44 states across the US, Canada and the District of Columbia, as well as the Caribbean and other international territories.