The Wine Group (TWG), Livermore, Calif., and Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Miami, announced that they have expanded their relationship to form a national strategic alignment. The new agreement includes a portfolio expansion in the open markets of the District of Columbia, Florida, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Texas, as well as the brokerage markets of Maine, Mississippi, and New Hampshire. The Wine Group will begin the transition of its portfolio to these markets beginning April 1, with Southern Glazer’s exclusive responsibility taking effect May 1.

Through this national alignment, The Wine Group will benefit from Southern Glazer’s vast route-to-market efficiencies, unmatched National Accounts capabilities and reach, dynamic centers of excellence, industry-leading Proof eCommerce platform, and deep data insights for wine and spirits, it states.

“As The Wine Group’s portfolio continues to grow, our national alignment with Southern Glazer’s will not only provide us greater efficiencies to drive strong brand performance and consumer acquisition across our expanded market footprint, but will enable us to serve all our customers more efficiently,” said John Sutton, CEO of The Wine Group, in a statement. “Our long and trusted relationship with Southern Glazer’s provides us great confidence in executing the next stage of our portfolio development strategy in the years to come.”

Wayne E. Chaplin, CEO of Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, added: “We look forward to building upon our decades-long relationship with The Wine Group. We are also honored that they chose us as the best partner to help them execute and optimize their consumer-focused portfolio expansions and long-term commercial growth strategy.”