Media Release

Johnson Brothers, a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Jackson Family Wines, one of the most respected family-owned wine companies in the world. Effective June 1, Johnson Brothers will represent the full Jackson Family Wines portfolio in Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, building on its existing partnerships in Minnesota, Virginia, and West Virginia.

This expansion marks a significant step forward in the relationship between the two organizations and reflects a shared commitment to long-term growth, disciplined execution, and delivering exceptional results in the marketplace.

Jackson Family Wines’ portfolio includes iconic American wineries such as Kendall-Jackson, La Crema, Cambria, Freemark Abbey, Matanzas Creek, and Penner-Ash, alongside acclaimed international estates, including Tenuta di Arceno in Italy and Giant Steps in Australia. With a longstanding reputation for quality, innovation, and intentional brand building, the company has established itself as a leader across multiple wine categories and consumer segments.

“Jackson Family Wines represents the very best of family ownership, with an unwavering focus on quality, long-term brand building, and doing things the right way,” said Yale Johnson, President of Sales, Johnson Brothers. “The strength and diversity of their portfolio, combined with their disciplined approach to growing brands, makes them an exceptional partner. We’re proud to expand our relationship and look forward to building on our shared momentum across these markets.”

The addition of the full portfolio in these states further strengthens Johnson Brothers’ premium wine offering and reinforces the company’s continued focus on partnering with like-minded suppliers who value performance, accountability, and strong customer relationships.

“Johnson Brothers has been a strong partner, and we’re pleased to expand our relationship into Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota,” said J.J. McCabe, Senior Vice President of U.S. Sales, Jackson Family Wines. “They have a solid track record of building brands thoughtfully and investing in long-term growth, and we look forward to continuing that work together in these markets.”

Johnson Brothers today announced an expanded partnership with J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines, one of California’s most respected and enduring family-owned wineries. Effective June 1, Johnson Brothers will represent the J. Lohr portfolio across Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota, joining existing collaborations in North Carolina and West Virginia.

This addition marks a meaningful milestone for Johnson Brothers as the company continues to strengthen and elevate its wine portfolio with highly regarded, consumer-relevant brands. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to quality, long-term growth, and disciplined execution in the marketplace.

“J. Lohr is a benchmark producer with a strong track record of building brands through consistency, quality, and a deep understanding of the consumer. We see a tremendous opportunity to build on that foundation across these markets,” said Mark Hubler, CEO, Johnson Brothers. “Our teams are aligned around delivering disciplined execution, investing behind the portfolio from day one, and creating meaningful, long-term growth together.”

Founded in the early 1970s, J. Lohr has built a reputation for producing consistently exceptional wines from sustainably farmed estate vineyards in Paso Robles, Monterey County, and Napa Valley, California. Known for its craftsmanship, innovation, and strong national presence, the winery brings a dynamic and proven portfolio that complements Johnson Brothers’ focus on delivering premium offerings to customers.

“We are very happy to expand our relationship with Johnson Brothers by joining them in the Midwest,” said Steve Lohr, President & CEO, J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines. “Johnson Brothers has the same family values, work ethic, and integrity that we prize when we seek enduring distributor relationships. Our father, Founder Jerry Lohr, grew up in South Dakota, so we understand and appreciate their Midwest heritage.”

Johnson Brothers, a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, today announced an expansion of its partnership with Brown-Forman through the Johnson Brothers Collective. Effective June 1, Brown-Forman will join Johnson Brothers Collective across eight control states: Idaho, Iowa, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming.

This expansion builds on the strong foundation between the two organizations and reflects a shared commitment to delivering best-in-class execution in control markets, where coordination, partnership, and local expertise are critical to success.

“Brown-Forman is an exceptional partner, and this expansion reflects the strength of our relationship and the results we’re delivering together,” said Mark Hubler, CEO, Johnson Brothers. “The Johnson Brothers Collective is purpose-built for control states, and we’re proud to bring a model that prioritizes accountability, execution, and strong collaboration with state agencies.”

The Johnson Brothers Collective is a stand-alone brokerage model purpose-built for control states, delivering strong early results and positive feedback from supplier partners and state liquor control boards since launching in 2025. The model continues to gain momentum as Johnson Brothers builds toward a best-in-class platform for control-state execution.

“Brown-Forman is extremely pleased to further deepen our relationship with Johnson Brothers,” said Robinson Brown IV, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, USA & Canada, Brown-Forman. “By leveraging their commercial execution and local expertise, we are confident we will drive growth and connect even more consumers with our iconic brands. We have seen great success with our expanded partnership this year, and we are excited to continue building on this momentum in the years ahead.”

The addition of Brown-Forman further strengthens the Johnson Brothers Collective’s growing portfolio and underscores the value of a disciplined, execution-driven approach in these highly regulated environments.

Johnson Brothers today announced the expansion of its partnership with Stoller Wine Group, adding distribution across nine markets effective April 1.

Under the expanded agreement, Johnson Brothers will represent Stoller Wine Group’s full portfolio in Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The partnership builds on a long-standing relationship in Minnesota, where the two companies first partnered and have continued to grow together.

“Stoller Wine Group has built an exceptional portfolio of brands with strong consumer recognition and momentum,” said Yale Johnson, President of Sales, Johnson Brothers. “We’re proud to expand our partnership across these markets and look forward to continuing to grow the business together through disciplined execution and strong in-market support.”

“As we continue to grow the Stoller Wine Group and integrate Elouan into our family of brands, having the right partners in place matters,” said Gary Mortensen, President, Stoller Wine Group. “Johnson Brothers shares our mindset, and together we’re positioned to outpace the competition.”

Johnson Brothers, a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, has announced the appointment of James Damico as Chief Financial Officer.

Damico joins Johnson Brothers with more than two decades of finance leadership experience in the global consumer packaged goods industry at Kellogg Company (now part of Mars Snacking), where he held a range of senior roles across supply chain, sales, innovation, financial planning and analysis, treasury, and strategic planning.

Throughout his career, Damico has led finance organizations across complex, multi-market environments in both domestic and international settings. His experience includes serving as Controller for Kellogg Europe, CFO for the UK & Ireland and High-Growth Markets, and most recently as European CFO, where he oversaw financial strategy and performance across diverse global markets.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from Michigan State University, as well as an MBA and a Master of Science in Finance from Indiana University.

“James brings a depth of financial expertise and a proven ability to lead across complex organizations,” said Mark Hubler, Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Brothers. “He understands how to translate strategy into performance, and that discipline will continue to strengthen how we operate and grow across our markets.”

Damico succeeds Doug Peters, who retired from Johnson Brothers on April 1, following nearly nine years of service as Chief Financial Officer. Peters played a key role in guiding the company through a period of significant growth and transformation.

In his role, Damico will partner closely with Johnson Brothers’ leadership team to support long-term growth, enhance financial discipline, and help drive continued performance across the company’s national footprint.

Johnson Brothers, family-owned and operated since 1953, today announced the expansion of its partnership with Napa Valley’s Cliff Lede Vineyards to Colorado, Nevada, and Texas. The portfolio will be managed by the Johnson Brothers Maverick and Oxford Street Merchants divisions.

Cliff Lede wines have been represented in Arizona for more than 20 years by Maverick Beverage Company, which Johnson Brothers acquired in 2025. The expanded agreement builds on that long-standing relationship and brings the acclaimed Napa Valley portfolio to additional Johnson Brothers markets.

Founded in 2002 and located in Napa Valley’s renowned Stag’s Leap District, Cliff Lede Vineyards is known for producing expressive, site-driven wines that reflect the character of the region. The winery’s portfolio includes acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style blends recognized by critics and consumers alike.

“Cliff Lede Vineyards has been a valued partner for more than two decades, and we are proud to continue growing our relationship,” said Ryan Schwartz, President of Luxury, Johnson Brothers. “Their commitment to quality and their strong reputation within Napa Valley make them an outstanding addition to our portfolio in these additional markets.”

“We’re excited to continue working with Johnson Brothers Maverick to introduce our wines to more consumers across Colorado, Texas, and Nevada,” says Jason Lede, Chief Operating Officer & General Manager of Cliff Lede Vineyards. “Our wines have a strong following in these states, and we look forward to building upon our successful partnership.”

Johnson Brothers, a leading family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, today announced a new partnership with Winebow, adding the company’s full global portfolio in Arizona and Texas. The portfolio will be managed by our Johnson Brothers Maverick selling division.

Winebow is a leading importer of fine wine and spirits, originally rooted in Italy and now spanning premier wine regions across Europe, South America, Australia, and beyond. Founded in 1980 with a vision to bring high-quality Italian wines to the U.S., the company has grown into a national leader through decades of expansion, strategic acquisitions, and a continued focus on fine wine and spirits. The collection today includes a diverse range of acclaimed producers, offering both heritage and innovation across primarily wine, with select spirits.

“We are excited to partner with Johnson Brothers to expand our presence in Arizona and Texas,” said Ian Downey, Executive Vice President, National Sales and Marketing, Winebow. “Their strong market capabilities, commitment to execution, and investment in dedicated sales resources make them an ideal partner to represent our portfolio. We are confident in their ability to build our brands and deliver meaningful growth in these markets.”

To support the addition of Winebow across Arizona and Texas, Johnson Brothers is expanding its sales teams and investing in dedicated resources to deliver disciplined, high-level execution from day one.

“This is a prestigious, globally recognized portfolio that represents some of the finest vineyards in the world,” said Ryan Schwartz, President of Luxury, Johnson Brothers. “It aligns seamlessly with our luxury strategy, and our team is built for this—bringing focus, discipline, and the right resources to deliver results for Winebow and our customers.”

Johnson Brothers announced today that its luxury selling division, Oxford Street Merchants, is expanding its partnership with Kobrand Fine Wine & Spirits into Hawaii, further strengthening a relationship that already spans Virginia and West Virginia.

The expansion brings Kobrand’s portfolio of globally recognized wine, spirit, and sake producers to the Hawaii market, supported by Oxford Street Merchants’ dedicated luxury sales and execution model.

“Kobrand represents one of the most complete and renowned portfolios in the wine industry,” said Yale Johnson, President of Sales, Johnson Brothers. “Expanding our collaboration is a testament to what our teams have built with Oxford Street Merchants. Our focus on excellence in execution, accountability, and long-term sustainable growth continues to resonate with leading suppliers, and we are proud to expand this partnership into Hawaii.”

Kobrand’s portfolio includes a range of iconic producers, such as Cakebread Cellars, Maison Louis Jadot, Champagne Taittinger, The Fladgate Partnership, San Guido, St. Francis, AIX, Craggy Range, Domaine Carneros, Michele Chiarlo, Joto Sake, and many more globally recognized producers. These brands reflect the heritage, quality, and consistency that define the luxury wine category and align closely with Oxford Street Merchants’ premium-focused strategy.

“Johnson Brothers and Oxford Street Merchants have demonstrated a strong ability to build and elevate luxury wine brands in competitive markets,” said Marcelo Aguero, President and CEO of Kobrand Fine Wines & Spirits. “Their disciplined approach to execution and brand stewardship made them the right partner as we expand into Hawaii, and we’re confident in their ability to represent our portfolio at the highest level across this important luxury marketplace.”

Johnson Brothers, a family-owned distributor of wine, spirits, and beer, today announced the expansion of its partnership with Pernod Ricard USA, the world’s second-largest supplier.

Through this expanded agreement, Johnson Brothers will assume distribution of the full Pernod Ricard portfolio in Indiana, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota – representing a meaningful step forward in key markets. This builds on an existing relationship, as Johnson Brothers currently represents Pernod Ricard’s GEM portfolio across Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The new agreement significantly deepens the partnership between the two companies and reflects commitment to growth, disciplined execution, and accountability in delivering results for supplier partners.

“Pernod Ricard represents one of the most respected and comprehensive portfolios in the industry,” said Mark Hubler, Chief Executive Officer, Johnson Brothers. “We’re proud to expand our partnership and bring their full portfolio to these additional markets.”

“Johnson Brothers has been a trusted partner for our business, particularly in markets where they already distribute our GEM portfolio,” said Conor McQuaid, Chief Executive Officer, Pernod Ricard USA. “We’re excited to continue and deepen that partnership in these key states, where their strong local capabilities and alignment with our portfolio position us well for consistent execution and growth.”