What Vine Lore does

Vine Lore is a privately held wine and spirits brokerage headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, founded in 2001. The company functions as an intermediary between 90-plus wineries and distilleries and Utah's state-controlled Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services (DABS) distribution channel, representing producer portfolios to local licensees including restaurants, bars, and retailers. Operations are focused exclusively on the Utah market, with no disclosed presence in other U.S. control or open states.

The business operates a traditional brokerage model with no proprietary technology platforms. Core services consist of producer portfolio curation, sales representation to Utah licensees, and distribution logistics facilitation through the regulated DABS channel. The company has recently extended its portfolio beyond wine and spirits into non-alcoholic beverages (De Soi) and cider and craft beer (Rekorderlig, Mare Island Brewing), indicating modest category diversification. A special-order system accessed via the UDABS portal allows retailers to source non-listed SKUs through Vine Lore's brokerage.

Vine Lore generates revenue through commissions, margins, or transaction fees on distribution sales routed through Utah's DABS system, supplemented by special-order handling. The company is small (11–50 employees), locally owned, and has been operating for over two decades. Recent strategic activity has centered on portfolio expansion (additional producer signings and new beverage categories) and channel enhancement via the UDABS portal, rather than geographic expansion outside Utah.

Name

Vine Lore

Legal name

Vine Lore

Website

https://vinelore.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Vine Lore is a Salt Lake City-based wine and spirits brokerage founded in 2001, representing 90-plus wineries and distilleries through Utah's state-controlled DABS distribution channel to local restaurants, bars, and retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine and Spirits Brokerage

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)

akta.pro primary industry

Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)

Keywords

• Wine and spirits brokerage
• Beverage distribution services
• Non-alcoholic beverage portfolio
• Craft spirits distribution
• Fine wine portfolio

Headquarters

HQ city

Salt Lake City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Wine & Spirits Distribution: Vine Lore operates as a brokerage firm representing fine wines, craft spirits, and low/non-alcoholic beverages from various producers. They distribute these products to retailers and restaurants throughout Utah, earning margin on sales. The company facilitates special orders through Utah's state-controlled UDABS system for products not carried in regular inventory.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Vine Lore is a locally owned wine and spirits brokerage that represents fine wines, craft spirits, and low- and non-alcoholic beverages from a portfolio of 90+ domestic and international producers. The company distributes these products to retailers, restaurants, and hospitality venues throughout Utah via the state's DABS system and UDABS special-order process. It also offers portfolio education, event support, and a monthly newsletter covering wine deals, food pairings, and recipes.

Product overview

Vine Lore is a locally owned beverage brokerage offering a comprehensive portfolio management platform for fine wines, craft spirits, ciders, beers, and low- and non-alcoholic beverages. Their product offering consists of a curated portfolio of 90+ award-winning wineries and distilleries distributed throughout Utah, with an online portfolio searchable by wine/spirits type, and a special order catalogue for items not carried in standard inventory. The company acts as a distribution intermediary connecting producers with Utah retail and restaurant partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wine and Spirits Portfolio Curated portfolio of fine wines and craft spirits from domestic and international producers, brokered and distributed to Utah retailers, restaurants, and hospitality venues through the state DABS system.
• Low and Non-Alcoholic Beverages Portfolio Specialized brokerage portfolio featuring low-alcohol and non-alcoholic beverages, including adaptogenic apéritifs and functional drinks, distributed to Utah retailers and on-premise accounts.
• Cider and Beer Selection Brokered selection of craft ciders and beers from domestic and international producers, including Swedish Rekorderlig cider and Mare Island Brewing Co. beers, distributed in Utah.
• Craft Spirits Portfolio Brokered collection of craft spirits including whiskey, vodka, gin, mezcal, rum, and tequila from various distillers, distributed to Utah retailers and on-premise accounts.
• Special Order Catalogue Service that allows customers to order wines and spirits from Vine Lore's complete portfolio that are not carried in regular retail inventory, fulfilled through Utah's UDABS special order portal and delivered to a chosen Utah liquor store.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• AveledacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPortuguese winery representing 150 years of winemaking heritage. Vine Lore distributes Aveleda wines in Utah including Vinho Verde, Alvarinho, and sparkling options. Products distributed to over 70 countries globally with gold and silver medal recognition.
• Bronco Wine CompanycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFamily-owned winery founded in 1973 by Fred T., Joseph S., and John Franzia. Vertically integrated from vineyard to table, selling in over 90 countries. Vine Lore distributes brands including Black Opal, Broadside, and McManis wines.
• De SoicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNon-alcoholic apéritifs brand inspired by French ethos of pleasure and restraint, made with natural adaptogens. Vine Lore distributes their non-alcoholic Spritz Italiano, Golden Hour, Champignon Dreams, Purple Lune, and Tres Rose products in Utah.
• Winebow, InccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNational importer and distributor of fine wine and spirits. Winebow describes itself as uniquely positioned as both importer and distributor with a proven track record. Vine Lore distributes their portfolio including Le Petit Clos, Lapostolle, Askur 45 Gin Iceland, and Helix Vodka.
• RekorderligminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSwedish premium hard cider brand founded in 1996. Naturally gluten-free, vegan-friendly, made with water from a pure spring in Vimmerby, Sweden. Distributed in over 10 million cases globally annually. Vine Lore distributes in Utah.
• Five Wives VodkacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCraft vodka brand made with Utah mountain spring water and 100% corn spirit, naturally gluten-free. Notable as a Utah-based craft spirit brand. Vine Lore distributes their flavored vodkas including Heavenly Vanilla Custard and Sinful Cinnamon.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Broad incumbents

• Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits: The largest US wine and spirits distributor, with broad multi-state operations covering retailers and on-premise accounts. Comparable to Vine Lore in core distribution functions but operates at vastly greater scale across open and control states.
• Republic National Distributing Company: Second-largest US beverage alcohol distributor, with multi-state coverage and deep producer portfolios. Shares broker/distributor economics and downstream customer types (retail and on-premise), though substantially larger and present only in states Vine Lore does not serve.
• Breakthru Beverage Group: Multi-state wine, spirits, and beer distributor serving retail and hospitality customers. Similar brokerage/distribution model with overlapping producer brands and customer segments, but operates across open markets rather than control states like Utah.

Direct peers

• Winebow: National importer and distributor of fine wine and spirits that is also a named core partner of Vine Lore. Directly comparable as a specialty broker/distributor carrying premium international producers with overlapping supplier and customer profiles.
• Skurnik Wines: Family-owned specialty importer and distributor of fine wines emphasizing producer relationships and regional account coverage. Closely comparable to Vine Lore's boutique, education-driven approach and curated portfolio model.
• Terlato Wine Group: Family-owned producer/importer specializing in premium and luxury wines. Comparable in portfolio orientation and family-led positioning to Vine Lore's craft/premium focus.
• Vias Imports: Specialty importer/distributor of fine wines from family-owned European estates. Similar in focus on smaller premium producers with limited importer competition, directly analogous to Vine Lore's curated relationship model.
• Kobrand Corporation: Importer and marketer of premium wines and spirits with portfolios centered on family-owned international producers. Comparable to Vine Lore's premium positioning and producer-relationship-driven distribution model.
• Banfi Vintners: Family-owned importer with a curated portfolio of premium wines from family-owned estates. Comparable in producer relationships and premium positioning to Vine Lore's curated portfolio.
• Classic Wine Imports: Specialty wine importer/distributor with a curated portfolio emphasizing family-owned producers. Directly comparable in scale, model, and producer-relationship focus to Vine Lore.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Vine Lore