Napa Valley-based winery B Cellars has selected Vin Divino, a Chicago-based importer of wines from Italy, Austria, Spain and Chile, as its national sales and marketing agent.

Established in 2003, the B Cellars winery produces both single varietal wines from different Napa Valley vineyards and wines from different varietals.

Produced by winemaker Kirk Venge, B Cellars blends include four proprietary wines – 23, 24, 25 and 26 and eight small production, single-varietal wines – Carneros Syrah, Mt Veeder Syrah, Caldwell’s Kreuzer Canyon Syrah, Dr Crane Cabernet Sauvignon, To Kalon Cabernet, Georges III Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Petite Syrah.

B Cellars partner Duffy Keys said the company’s concept has been well received since its inception, but could not achieve the growth targets with the current structure.

"We simply needed a broader presence in the marketplace, and Vin Divino provides that," Keys added.

"Their approach to market is quite different from other wine sales organizations, and we share many of the same values."

Owned by Rome-based Angelini Group, Vin Divino has a wide network of independent distributors through which it currently represents wine brands such as Domane Wachau, Franz Hirtzberger and Zantho from Austria, Vina Casa Silva from Chile, Bodegas Casa Primica from Spain and the US.

It also represents wine brands from Italy such as Tenimenti Angelini consisting of Collepaglia, Puiatti, Tre Rose, Val di Suga, San Leonino and Villa del Borgo wines, the Valentino Group consisting of Caldora, Feudi di San Marzano and Vesevo wines and Bersano, Cusumano, Lungarotti and Nino Franco.

Vin Divino president Len Nowicki said the company has worked hard over the past few years to reposition itself in a more relevant way with its national distribution network.

"Our entry into domestic wines increases this relevance and provides us with excellent strategic growth opportunities," Nowicki said.