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Johnson Brothers launches new Luxury Wine and Spirits Organization

With the continued growth of the ultra-premium business, Johnson Brothers today unveiled its new luxury wine and spirits organization, Oxford Street Merchants.

The inspiration behind the name is 43 Oxford Street, the address in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where founder Lynn Johnson first opened his doors for business at Johnson Brothers in 1953.

“Over the past 70 years, we have worked relentlessly to establish ourselves as the best executing distributor in the country,” said Yale Johnson, Vice President of Johnson Brothers, who will oversee the new organization. “Our mission at Oxford Street Merchants is to bring that same focus, tenacity, and commitment of executional excellence to the luxury category.”

Oxford Street Merchants will expand on Johnson Brothers’ current Epiphany division with its committed, passionate, and accredited team members transitioning into new roles for the organization. The enhanced team will provide dedicated coverage and accountability against targeted accounts to drive results for its luxury wine and spirits supplier partners.

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About Oxford Street Merchants

At Oxford Street Merchants, we provide access to some of the most coveted luxury spirits and estate wines in the industry. Our dedicated, knowledgeable, and accredited team members bring a passion for brand stewardship and storytelling ensuring each encounter leaves the customer with an unparalleled luxury experience. Committed to executional excellence and standards of performance, Oxford Street Merchants combines innovation and analytics to drive results. Oxford Street Merchants is an organization of Johnson Brothers, a leading wine, beer, and spirits distributor in the United States. Its name pays homage to 43 Oxford Street, the building in Saint Paul, Minnesota where Lynn Johnson founded the third-generation, family-run business.

Johnson Brothers Expands Partnership with Delicato Family Wines

Johnson Brothers has signed a new agreement with Delicato Family Wines to expand distribution beyond West Virginia and North Carolina to now include Minnesota, Iowa, and Hawaii, effective January 1, 2023.

“With our Delicato relationship expanding to five states, we are excited to broaden our supplier portfolio and partner with not just another family-owned company, but a top-five wine supplier,” said Michael Johnson, Chairman and Co-Owner of Johnson Brothers. “We look forward to the continued growth of this relationship and are committed to executing, activating, and building this portfolio in the marketplace.”

Delicato Family Wines, a fourth-generation family-owned company founded in 1924, is the fifth largest wine company in the U.S. by volume sales and is the U.S. category leader in premium 3L box wines with Bota Box, the original eco-friendly boxed wine. Delicato’s diverse portfolio includes leading popular, luxury, import, and agency brands, such as Coppola Diamond Collection, the U.S.’s #3 domestic super-premium wine brand, as well as Impact Hot Prospect Brands 1924 and Three Finger Jack, and Z. Alexander Brown Wines, the highly successful collaboration with musician Zac Brown.

“Our partnership with Johnson Brothers continues to evolve, and we are pleased to expand our footprint with them in three new markets – Minnesota, Iowa, and Hawaii,” said Delicato CEO Chris Indelicato. “We look forward to growing our portfolio with Johnson Brothers, allowing us to drive sales growth and profitability together.”

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About Johnson Brothers

Johnson Brothers is a leading wine, beer, and spirits distributor in the United States. As a third-generation family company, Johnson Brothers continues to be driven by the values established by its founder Lynn Johnson in 1953: work ethic, passion, innovation, teamwork, excellence, and integrity. By partnering with the best suppliers worldwide, Johnson Brothers delivers outstanding brands and services to customers across 21 states. To learn more about Johnson Brothers and its supplier partners, visit Johnsonbrothers.com, or connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

About Delicato Family Wines
Delicato Family Wines is a fourth-generation, family-owned company founded in 1924, that is among the top five largest wine companies in the U.S. Delicato’s diversified portfolio of leading wine brands includes Bota Box, Coppola Diamond Collection, Noble Vines, Gnarly Head, Z. Alexander Brown, Coppola Director’s Cut, Black Stallion, Three Finger Jack, Sofia, 1924, and Schmitt Söhne Family Wines (Germany). Transcendent Wines, Delicato’s fine wine sales and marketing portfolio, includes such luxury brands as Black Stallion Limited Release, and Diora in addition to imported luxury estate wines such as Stoneleigh (New Zealand) and Torbreck Vintners (Australia). For more information, visit www.delicato.com or contact Brent Dodd, Director of Corporate Communications at brent.dodd@delicato.com.

Johnson Brothers Acquiring Wine and Beer Distribution Business of Dixie Beverage Company

Johnson Brothers today announced that it has signed an agreement to purchase the wine and beer distribution business of Dixie Beverage Company in Virginia. Dixie Beverage Company will retain its non-alcoholic distribution business, continuing as a Red Bull and Snapple distributor out of their Virginia warehouse and a dedicated Red Bull distributor across the rest of their multi-state footprint.

“This strategic acquisition continues to grow our Johnson Brothers footprint in Virginia, further complementing our recent acquisition of Service Distributing Inc. in northern Virginia,” said Michael Johnson, Chairman and Co-Owner. “We are excited to add Dixie Beverage’s wine and beer brands and talented employees to our team.”

Rick Hottel, Dixie Beverage Company’s owner and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “We are pleased to sell our wine and beer distribution business to another family-owned business who shares our values. With this change, Dixie Beverage will be able to focus solely on growing our non-alcoholic business and brands.”

“With this further expansion into the Commonwealth of Virginia, we are committed to continue providing outstanding service for our customers and supplier partners,” said Todd Johnson, Principal and Co-Owner.

The acquisition is expected to close late summer, subject to customary closing conditions.

About Johnson Brothers:

Johnson Brothers is a leading distributor of wine, beer and spirits in the United States. As a third-generation family company, Johnson Brothers is driven by the same values established by its founder in 1953: work ethic, passion, innovation, teamwork, excellence, and integrity. Through partnering with the best suppliers in the world, Johnson Brothers delivers outstanding brands and services to customers across 21 states. To learn more about Johnson Brothers and its supplier partners, visit Johnsonbrothers.com, or connect on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.