What Authentic Wine Selections does

Authentic Wine Selections (AWS) is a privately held, founder-owned wine importer, distributor, and broker headquartered in Oakland, California. Founded in 2016 by Robert Morrison, the company curates and distributes a portfolio of fine wines from 12 countries and three US states (California, Oregon, Washington) to wholesale accounts — primarily restaurants and wine retailers — on a California state-wide basis with next-day delivery. Its competitive positioning is built around appellation-faithful, value-oriented sourcing: the majority of imported wines are selected by Master Sommelier Fran Kysela, while domestic offerings are predominantly small or micro-production wines from accomplished west-coast winemakers.

AWS operates a web-based sales, inventory, and accounts management platform that, per company claims, reduces sales rep administrative time by 70%, enabling more field-based selling. The product set includes the proprietary sub-brands Voix de la Vigne and Accent de la Vigne (Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc from Oregon and Washington, co-developed with winemaker Laurent Montalieu and label-designed by Christophe Hedges of Hedges Family Estate) and an ancillary distribution line in Stolzle premium German crystal glassware for foodservice and retail. Revenue is generated primarily through transactional wholesale distribution margins, supplemented by a brokerage service for producers seeking California market access and a small direct-to-consumer business comprising a private-client mailing list and all-inclusive wine tourism experiences (e.g., the Spain Trip 2024 at $5,000/$7,000 per person).

AWS's go-to-market is sales-led and relationship-driven, supported by event-based marketing (wine tourism), content (website, social media, email newsletter), and a national sub-brand distribution network that extends the Voix de la Vigne portfolio into at least ten US states via regional distributors. The company employs 11-50 people and is owned and operated by its founder, with no external institutional investment disclosed.

Name

Authentic Wine Selections

Legal name

Authentic Wine Selections

Website

https://authenticws.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Authentic Wine Selections is a California-based, founder-owned wine importer, distributor, and broker curating appellation-faithful wines from 12 countries and three US states for wholesale accounts, with proprietary sub-brands, glassware, and wine tourism.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine Distribution and Importation

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Wine & Sparkling Wine Wineries & Brands (CRADAIAB)

Keywords

• Wine distribution
• Wine importation
• Wholesale wine broker
• Fine wine brokerage
• Wine tourism experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Oakland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Wine Distribution: Distribution of imported and domestic wines to wholesale accounts (retailers, restaurants) statewide in California. They import wines from 12 countries and source domestic wines from three US states, offering next-day delivery.
2. Wine Brokerage: Brokerage services for wine producers looking to reach California market.
3. Wine Tourism Experiences: All-inclusive wine tourism trips to wine regions (e.g., Spain Trip 2024) priced at $5,000 single occupancy or $7,000 double occupancy.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Authentic Wine Selections is a wine importer, producer, distributor and broker that curates and sells a global portfolio of fine wines (from 12 countries) and micro-production domestic wines (from California, Oregon and Washington) to wholesale accounts and private clients across California. It also distributes Stolzle crystal glassware to foodservice/retail customers and runs all-inclusive wine tourism experiences such as the Spain Trip 2024.

Product overview

Authentic Wine Selections operates as a wine producer, importer, distributor, and broker representing a global portfolio of fine wines from 12 countries and three US states (California, Oregon, Washington). The company offers two primary branded products: Voix de la Vigne (proprietary sub-brand featuring Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Pinot Gris, and Sauvignon Blanc from Oregon and Washington AVAs) and Stolzle Glassware (premium German crystal stemware). Their core business is curating and distributing imported wines (predominantly from France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal, selected by Master Sommelier Fran Kysela) alongside domestic micro-production wines from west coast producers, all unified under the mission of providing wines faithful to their appellation with exceptional value.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Voix de la Vigne: A Pinot Noir brand created in collaboration with Laurent Montalieu of Hyland Estate, designed to appeal to Francophile wine lovers with wines styled like Burgundy but domestically produced and affordable. Features wines from Willamette Valley, Red Mountain, and includes Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Cabernet Franc, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Products and services

• Voix de la Vigne Proprietary Burgundy-styled wine brand of Authentic Wine Selections, founded by Robert Morrison in collaboration with Laurent Montalieu, featuring Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris sourced primarily from Oregon's Willamette Valley and Red Mountain; positioned as an elegant, low-alcohol Francophile-styled wine sold through California wholesale accounts and national distributors.
• Accent de la Vigne Sister brand to Voix de la Vigne, featuring Pinot Noir varietals from Oregon's Willamette Valley; sold through Authentic Wine Selections' wholesale and private-client channels.
• Voix de la Vigne Sauvignon Blanc White wine varietal under the Voix de la Vigne brand, complementing the Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Cabernet Franc offerings; distributed through the same wholesale channels.
• Stolzle Glassware Premium German lead-free crystal glassware (wine glasses, champagne flutes and other stemware) using pulled-stem technology and eco-friendly production, distributed by Authentic Wine Selections to foodservice and retail customers.
• Spain Trip 2024 Wine Tourism Experience All-inclusive, 10-day guided wine tourism experience covering 6 Spanish appellations across 4 provinces (Madrid, Central Spain, San Sebastian and Bilbao) including winery visits and wine-paired meals, sold to private clients at $5,000 per person single occupancy or $7,000 per couple double occupancy.
• Imported and Domestic Wine Distribution Statewide California distribution of imported wines from 12 countries (selected by Master Sommelier Fran Kysela) and micro-production domestic wines from California, Oregon and Washington, sold directly to wholesale accounts (restaurants and retailers) with next-day delivery.

Quantifiable outcome

• 70% reduction in sales rep admin time

Named customers7 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fran Kysela, MScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaster Sommelier Fran Kysela, recognized as one of the best importers of value-oriented wines in the US, selects most of AWS's imported wines. This partnership provides access to curated wines from global producers.
• Laurent Montalieu (Willamette Valley)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFounding winemaker at Willamensie Estate who collaborates with Robert Morrison on Voix de la Vigne brand. Montalieu farms over 700 acres of vines including the Hyland Vineyard, farmed using Biodynamic methods.
• Christophe Hedges (Hedges Family Estate)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigned the striking Voix de la Vigne label that appeals to Francophile wine enthusiasts while maintaining domestic affordability.
• Stolzle GlasswareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman glassware manufacturer whose products AWS distributes. Stolzle creates lead-free crystal glassware for foodservice and retail markets with over 200 years of history.
• Quench (Arizona)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorArizona distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 2555 N Nevada St, Chandler, AZ 85225.
• United Cellars (Florida)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFlorida distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 3335 NW 168 ST, Miami Gardens, FL 33056.
• Savannah Distributing (Georgia)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGeorgia distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 2860 Bankers Industrial Drive, Atlanta, GA 30360.
• Little Wine Company (New York)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNew York distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 90 West Street Apt 22G, New York, NY 10006.
• Pure Wine WisconsinminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWisconsin distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 10859 West Bluemound Road, Suite 200, Wauwatosa, WI 53226.
• Speakeasy Distribution (Kansas)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKansas distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 2940 S. Minneapolis Ave, Wichita, KS 67216.
• Lirette Selections (Louisiana)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLouisiana distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 110 Derrick Road Ste. A, Belle Chase, LA 70037-1117.
• Armada (Oklahoma)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOklahoma distributor for Voix de la Vigne wines. Located at 5402 S 129th E Ave, Tulsa, OK 74134.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits: The largest wine and spirits distributor in the U.S., operating across all 50 states. Represents the broad incumbent AWS competes against for shelf space and accounts in California and adjacent markets.

Direct peers

• Domaine Select Wine Estates: Importer and distributor specializing in terroir-driven wines from family-owned European estates. Similar to AWS in curation philosophy and producer-led sourcing across multiple European countries.
• Wine Warehouse: Large California-based wine and spirits distributor serving retailers and restaurants across the state. Comparable to AWS as a California wholesale distributor, though operating at significantly larger scale across a broader product portfolio.
• Vias Imports: Independent wine importer and distributor focused on Italian and French wines with national U.S. distribution. Comparable to AWS as a curation-driven importer leveraging producer relationships to build a distinct value portfolio.
• Banville Wine Merchants: Family-owned importer and distributor of artisanal wines from France, Italy, and other European regions. Operates a similar portfolio model with curated, producer-focused offerings distributed to retail and restaurant accounts.
• Polaner Selections: Independent wine importer/distributor in the U.S. with a portfolio of family-owned European estates. Closely comparable to AWS in business model, sourcing philosophy, and boutique distribution scale.
• T. Edwards Wines: California-based fine wine importer and distributor offering a curated portfolio of European and domestic wines to on- and off-premise accounts. Direct comparable to AWS's California wholesale distribution model.
• Skurnik Wines & Spirits: Family-owned fine wine importer and distributor across the U.S. Strong overlap with AWS in importing appellation-driven wines from France, Italy, Austria, and Germany, with a similar focus on producer relationships and quality-led curation.
• Kysela Pere et Fils: Robert Morrison's former employer and a value-oriented wine importer/distributor based in Virginia. Operates a similar curated import portfolio model, making it the closest direct comparison to AWS's sourcing and distribution approach.

Others

• Stölzle Lausitz (Glassware): German crystal glassware manufacturer whose products AWS distributes. Relevant ecosystem partner comparable only along the glassware/STEM side of AWS's product mix, not distribution.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/authenticwineselections
• Instagraminstagram.com/authenticwineselections
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/authentic-wine-selection

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Authentic Wine Selections