Epicurean Wines
Epicurean Wines is a Seattle-based, 100%-Australian wine and spirits importer founded in 2000 that represents 23 Australian producers and 75 labels, selling exclusively through a nationwide network of regional US wholesale distributors across 46-48 states.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersSeattle, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Epicurean Wines does
Epicurean Wines, L.L.C. is a Seattle-headquartered, privately held specialty beverage importer founded in 2000 by Benjamin Hammerschlag. The company imports Australian wines and spirits and resells them through a nationwide network of regional wholesale distributors, who in turn supply restaurants and retailers. Its represented portfolio consists of 23 Australian producers and 75 labels spanning Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Clare Valley, Langhorne Creek, Margaret River, and Hunter Valley, and the company self-positions as North America's oldest 100% Australian wine importer. Distribution coverage extends to 46-48 US states and the District of Columbia through state-level distributor partnerships; in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board serves as the state-mandated retail and distribution monopoly channel.
The product surface comprises premium and boutique Australian wines (Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Grenache, plus Italian and alternative varietals such as Fiano, Nero d'Avola, and Vermentino), gin (Applewood Distillery since 2017), Tasmanian whisky (since 2018), and Australian amaro (OKAR Island Bitter). The portfolio is curated around family-owned producers and a "New Australia" thesis emphasizing regenerative and sustainable farming (e.g., Hither & Yon's carbon-neutral certification, Unico Zelo's B Corp status, Penny’s Hill Estate's Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification, Sidewood's eco-sustainable Adelaide Hills operations). The company does not operate its own technology platform; its core commercial asset is an interactive, state-by-state distributor lookup on its website complemented by news, blog, trade fact sheets, and sell-sheet downloads.
Revenue is generated through markup on imported wine and spirit SKUs sold to regional distributors on a one-time transactional basis; the company does not publish wholesale pricing and has no subscription, SaaS, or recurring component. The primary customer segment is the regional wholesale distributor (each state-level exclusivity creates a de facto B2B contract); secondary downstream segments are on-premise restaurants, wine bars, and retail wine shops reached through distributors. Leadership comprises President Cindy Oswalt (Operations Manager since inception, elevated circa 2020), National Sales Director Brian Klassen (two decades representing Australian portfolios), and Founder Benjamin Hammerschlag, who built the producer relationships over the company's first two decades.
Epicurean Wines firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Epicurean Wines
- Legal name
- Epicurean Wines, L.L.C.
- Website
- https://epicureanwines.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Epicurean Wines is a Seattle-based, 100%-Australian wine and spirits importer founded in 2000 that represents 23 Australian producers and 75 labels, selling exclusively through a nationwide network of regional US wholesale distributors across 46-48 states.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Epicurean Wines industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wine Import & Distribution
- NAICS
- Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale) (CRAOAIAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)
Keywords
Where Epicurean Wines is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Seattle
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Epicurean Wines business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Wine and Spirit Importing & Distribution: Epicurean Wines imports Australian wines and spirits (including gin and whisky) into the United States, purchasing from Australian producers and reselling to a national network of regional distributors who then sell to restaurants and retailers. Revenue is generated through the markup on imported wine and spirit products sold to distributors.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Epicurean Wines product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Epicurean Wines imports Australian wines and spirits from 23+ family-owned producers and resells them at wholesale to a national network of regional U.S. distributors. The portfolio spans 75 labels from Australia's major wine regions (Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Margaret River, Langhorne Creek, Hunter Valley, Clare Valley, Tasmania) and has expanded into gin, whisky, and amaro. Distributors in turn supply restaurants, wine bars, and retail wine shops, with end consumers directed to local stockists via a state-by-state directory on the company website.
Product overview
Epicurean Wines operates as a premium Australian wine and spirits import and distribution company, not a software platform. The company represents 23+ family-owned Australian wineries across major wine regions (South Australia, Western Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania) and distributes through a network of 48+ U.S. state distributors. The portfolio encompasses wine brands including Spring Seed Wine Co., Langmeil, Mr. Riggs, Hither & Yon, Unico Zelo, Penny\'s Hill, Battle of Bosworth, and spirits like Applewood Gin and OKAR Island Bitter. Epicurean Wines is North America\'s oldest 100% Australian wine importer, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Seattle.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Epicurean Wines Portfolio (Australian wines & spirits import) Core importing and wholesale distribution service for a portfolio of 75+ labels from 23+ Australian wine and spirits producers, sold to regional U.S. distributors for resale to restaurants and retailers.
- Applewood Distillery (Australian gin) Adelaide Hills-based Australian gin producer using native botanicals (saltbush, peppermint gumleaf, blood limes, desert limes, lemon myrtle, quandong); distributed in the U.S. through Epicurean's network.
- Langmeil (Barossa Valley winery)
Quantifiable outcome
- Represents 23 Australian producers across 75 labels, distributed through a network covering 46–48 US states and D.C.
Companies that use Epicurean Wines
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Epicurean Wines technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Epicurean Wines partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
25 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Applewood DistillerycoreApplewood Distillery is an Australian gin and spirit producer based in Adelaide Hills, South Australia. Epicurean Wines began importing Applewood Gin in 2017 as the company's first spirit import, expanding its portfolio beyond wine. Applewood Gin is composed of Australian-native botanicals (e.g., Saltbush, Peppermint Gumleaf, Blood Limes, Quandong) and has received multiple awards including 90pts Best of Year from Wine Enthusiast.
- Battle of BosworthcoreBattle of Bosworth makes single-vineyard, organically grown wines from family vineyards in McLaren Vale, South Australia. Established in 2001 by Joch Bosworth and Louise Hemsley-Smith, the winery produces Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, and Puritan wines. Their wines reflect the flavor, texture, purity, and balance of McLaren Vale's unique terroir.
- Bremerton WinescoreBremerton Wines is a Willson family-owned winery located on 290 acres at Langhorne Creek, South Australia. Award-winning varieties include Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Verdelho, Chardonnay, Malbec, and Petit Verdot. In 2019, Bremerton Wines was named Producer of the Year at the Langhorne Wine Fair and won a trophy at the Royal Melbourne Wine Show.
- Clairault Streicker WinescoreClairault Streicker Wines are a family of premium wines from privately-owned vineyards in the Margaret River Wine Appellation of Western Australia. Since 1976, the vineyard has grown to encompass approximately 200 hectares of premium Margaret River vineyards. Their portfolio includes trophy-winning cold-climate Syrah, single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons and Chardonnays.
- Flegenheimer Bros.minorFlegenheimer Bros. is a heritage wine brand revived by Benjamin Hammerschlag (founder of Epicurean Wines) from his great-great grandfather's family business, which operated as New York Wine Merchants from 1876 until Prohibition. The brand produces high-altitude McLaren Vale Shiraz and Petite Sirah from the Hammerschlag family vineyard.
- Hither & YoncoreHither & Yon is South Australia's first carbon-neutral certified winery, established in 1980 by Richard and Malcolm Leask. Located in McLaren Vale, the brothers practice regenerative agriculture ('from grass to glass') and plant alternative grape varieties to attract a new generation of wine lovers. Their portfolio includes Grenache Mataro, Petit Blanc, Touriga Tempranillo, Nero D'Avola, Carignan, and Shiraz.
- Langmeil WinerycoreLangmeil Winery is a six-generation family winery in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. The Lindner family's wines include The Freedom 1843 Shiraz (some of the oldest vines in the world, planted 1843), Spring Fever Chardonnay, Three Gardens GSM, and numerous single-vineyard wines. The winery is known for preserving old and rare Barossa vineyards.
- Mr. Riggs Wine Co.coreMr. Riggs Wine Co. was founded in 2001 by Ben Riggs, a renowned South Australian winemaker and former chief winemaker at Wirra Wirra. The winery produces Shiraz, Grenache, Montepulciano, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Riesling from McLaren Vale, Coonawarra, and Clare Valley. Mr. Riggs received a five red star winery rating from the Halliday Wine Companion 2020.
- Oliver's Taranga VineyardscoreOliver's Taranga Vineyards is a McLaren Vale winery owned by the Oliver family, producing small-batch handcrafted wines from both well-known and emerging grape varieties including Mataro, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Vermentino, Fiano, Tempranillo, Mencia, and Sagrantino. Winemaker Corrina Wright was named 2019 Winemaker of the Year by the ASVO.
- Penny's Hill EstatecorePenny's Hill Estate is an estate-grown McLaren Vale producer centered on the historic Ingleburne Homestead (circa 1855). Founded in 1988, the winery was acquired by Randall Wine Group and now produces premium single-vineyard wines from McLaren Vale and Blewitt Springs. Achieved Sustainable Winegrowing Australia certification in 2023.
- SidewoodcoreSidewood was founded in 2004 by Owen and Cassandra Inglis and produces award-winning wines from Adelaide Hills including Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz, and Sparkling Chardonnay Pinot Noir. The winery achieved Five Red Star Accreditation from James Halliday and became the largest eco-sustainable winery in Adelaide Hills in 2016.
- Spring Seed Wine Co.coreSpring Seed Wine Co. makes wines from organically grown, single-vineyard grapes in McLaren Vale. Their wines include Forget-Me-Not Sauvignon Blanc Semillon, Cockscomb Cabernet, Four O'Clock Chardonnay, Scarlet Runner Shiraz, and Aster Pinot Noir. Labels are inspired by vintage flower seed packets from the turn of the last century.
- Standish Wine CompanyminorStandish Wine Company is an Australian winery represented in the Epicurean Wines portfolio. Located in South Australia, Standish is known for producing premium wines.
- StreickercoreStreicker (part of the Clairault Streicker family) produces premium wines from Margaret River, Western Australia. Key wines include Bridgeland Block Syrah and Ironstone Block Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon. The Streicker portfolio includes cold-climate Syrah and other varietals from the family's approximately 200 hectares of Margaret River vineyards.
- The ChookminorThe Chook produces Shiraz Viognier and Sparkling Shiraz from McLaren Vale. Since inception, The Chook Shiraz Viognier has maintained an uninterrupted run of 90+ point scores from internationally recognized reviewers.
- Thomas GosscoreThomas Goss is named for the Goss family who settled in South Australia in 1849, founding Ingleburne and some of McLaren Vale's leading vineyards. The brand produces affordable McLaren Vale red wines and Adelaide Hills white wines. Winemaker Alexia Roberts produces award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and Shiraz.
- Wildman WinesminorWildman Wines is an Australian winery represented in the Epicurean Wines portfolio.
- Winner's TankminorWinner's Tank is a Langhorne Creek winery owned by David and Cathy Knight, producing wines from local fruit. The winery's name references an Australian Rules Football tradition where the winning team of a local rivalry paints a tank in their team colors.
- Woop WoopminorWoop Woop is Australian slang for 'the middle of nowhere in the Outback.' The winery brings excellent, inexpensive South Australian wine to the US market, showcasing Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz in a light-to-medium bodied style.
- Unico ZelocoreUnico Zelo is a winery founded in 2014 by Brendan and Laura Carter in Gumeracha, Adelaide Hills. Specializing in Italian-inspired wines made from Mediterranean varieties (Fiano, Nero d'Avola, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo), the winery focuses on textural, site-expressive wines. Epicurean Wines partnered with Unico Zelo in 2016. Unico Zelo was Australia's first Certified B Corp winery and won the Young Gun of Wine People's Choice award in 2014. Their Jade & Jasper Fiano has received Decanter 97pts and Wine Enthusiast awards.
- Ricca Terra VineyardsminorRicca Terra vineyards is the primary grape supplier for Unico Zelo's Jade & Jasper Fiano, named Innovative Vineyard of the Year by Young Gun of Wine in 2020. Ricca Terra practices hands-on, low-water, high-quality farming and grows Fiano that can thrive without irrigation or chemical inputs, supporting Unico Zelo's sustainability mission.
- National EcoVineyards ProgramminorThe National EcoVineyards program is funded by Wine Australia and the Australian Government and delivered by Retallack Viticulture Pty Ltd. Epicurean Wines' partner Bremerton Wines (Rebecca Wilson) participates in this program, which helps grapegrowers improve soil health, establish ground cover plants, and increase biodiversity. Epicurean Wines has published articles about this program on its blog.
- Specialty Imports (Anchorage, AK)minorSpecialty Imports is Epicurean Wines' regional distributor for the state of Alaska, located at 4119 Ingra Street, Anchorage, AK.
- Grape Expectations (Richmond, CA / Seatac, WA)minorGrape Expectations serves as Epicurean Wines' distributor in both California (1085 Essex Ave, Richmond, CA) and Oregon (via Seatac, WA), representing the company in two major US wine markets.
- Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (Harrisburg, PA)minorThe Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board serves as Epicurean Wines' state-mandated distribution and retail monopoly outlet in Pennsylvania.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Epicurean Wines competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Vias Imports: Vias Imports is a US importer specializing exclusively in Italian wines, closely paralleling Epicurean Wines' country-specific import model. Both serve as national importers that curate boutique, family-owned portfolios and route to US regional distributors, making the business model and value proposition directly comparable.
- Polaner Selections: Polaner is a US specialty wine importer representing family-owned producers from France, Italy, Austria, and beyond via regional distributors. Its country/region-curated, distributor-led model is structurally identical to Epicurean's Australian focus.
- Banville Wine Merchants: Banville is a US importer focused on Italian family-owned wines, distributing nationally through regional wholesalers. Like Epicurean, it concentrates on a single country's boutique producers and relies on distributor relationships rather than direct retail.
- Skurnik Wines & Spirits: Skurnik is a family-owned US importer of premium, terroir-driven wines from family-owned estates, with a national distributor footprint. Like Epicurean, it competes on producer curation, regional storytelling, and trade relationships rather than mass-market scale.
- Kermode Lynch Wine Merchants: Kermode Lynch imports fine wines from small, family-owned European estates for distribution across the US through regional wholesalers. Its focus on grower-producer relationships and distributor-led distribution is structurally analogous to Epicurean's Australian portfolio.
- Verity Wine Partners: Verity is a New York-based importer of premium family-owned wines from multiple countries, distributed via regional wholesalers across the US. Its curated-producer, distributor-routed model directly mirrors Epicurean's go-to-market.
Broad incumbents
- Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits: Southern Glazer's is the largest US wine and spirits distributor, offering overlapping distribution services for premium and Australian wines. It competes with Epicurean's distributor relationships at the wholesale-tier level rather than as a country-specialist importer.
- Republic National Distributing Company: RNDC is one of the largest US alcohol wholesalers, distributing premium and Australian wines alongside a broad spirits portfolio. As an incumbent broad-line wholesaler, it competes for the same regional distributor relationships Epicurean relies on.
- Shaw-Ross International Importers: Shaw-Ross is a major US importer and supplier of wines and spirits, including Australian brands, with national reach. As a large multi-country importer with broader portfolio breadth, it represents the incumbent competitor Epicurean positions against for producer mandates and shelf space.
Regional players
- Negociants USA: Negociants USA is the US arm of a New Zealand wine-focused importer, representing premium Kiwi producers through regional distributors. While country-focused like Epicurean, it is smaller and narrower in producer count, making it a comparable regional/specialty peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Epicurean Wines social profiles
Digital presenceEpicurean Wines compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Epicurean Wines financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Epicurean Wines leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Epicurean Wines funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Epicurean Wines M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Epicurean Wines
What does Epicurean Wines do?
Epicurean Wines imports Australian wines and spirits from 23+ family-owned producers and resells them at wholesale to a national network of regional U.S. distributors. The portfolio spans 75 labels from Australia's major wine regions (Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Margaret River, Langhorne Creek, Hunter Valley, Clare Valley, Tasmania) and has expanded into gin, whisky, and amaro. Distributors in turn supply restaurants, wine bars, and retail wine shops, with end consumers directed to local stockists via a state-by-state directory on the company website.
Is Epicurean Wines a public or private company?
Epicurean Wines is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Epicurean Wines founded?
Epicurean Wines was founded in 2000. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Epicurean Wines based?
Epicurean Wines is headquartered in Seattle, United States, in the North America region.
How does Epicurean Wines make money?
One revenue line is on record: wine and Spirit Importing & Distribution.
Who are Epicurean Wines's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Vias Imports, Polaner Selections, Banville Wine Merchants, Skurnik Wines & Spirits, Kermode Lynch Wine Merchants and Verity Wine Partners. Broad incumbents are Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Republic National Distributing Company and Shaw-Ross International Importers. Negociants USA is listed as a regional player.
Does Epicurean Wines have an API?
No public API is recorded for Epicurean Wines.
What industry is Epicurean Wines in?
Epicurean Wines's product category is Wine Import & Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAOAIAB, Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale), with a secondary code of CRAOAIAA, Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution. Its NAICS code is 424820 and its SIC code is 5180.