Woodman Wines and Spirits

What Woodman Wines and Spirits does

Woodman Wines & Spirits Inc is a family-owned wine and spirits importation, distribution, sales, and marketing agency headquartered in Etobicoke (Toronto), Ontario, Canada. Founded in 1989 by Russell Woodman after his tenure at Hiram Walker ended with its acquisition by Corby's, the company operates exclusively within Ontario through the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO)—the sole legal alcohol wholesaler in the province. The firm curates a portfolio of approximately 35 wine producers and 7 spirits producers across France (Bouchard Père & Fils, Château La Nerthe, Champagne Henriot, Maison Trimbach, Bouvet Ladubay), Spain (Bodegas Beronia, González Byass, Palacios Remondo), Italy (Bollini, Pietradolce), Australia (Yalumba), Japan (Nikka Whisky), South Africa (Rustenberg), the United States (Jonata, Templeton Rye), Scotland (Glencadam, Tomintoul), Mexico (Casa Lumbre), and Guyana (El Dorado Rum). The next-generation successor Jason Woodman joined the firm after completing an Economics degree at Western University.

Name

Woodman Wines and Spirits

Legal name

Woodman Wines & Spirits Inc

Website

https://woodmanwinesandspirits.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Woodman Wines & Spirits Inc is a family-owned Ontario wine and spirits agency founded in 1989, distributing fine wines and spirits from ~40 international producers to bars, restaurants, licensed grocers, and retailers via the LCBO and a Shopify storefront.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Wine and Spirits Distribution

NAICS

Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (424820), Beer, Wine, and Liquor Retailers (44532)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Beer, Wine & Spirits Wholesale Distribution (CRAOAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Alcohol Subscription & Wine Clubs (Retail) (CRANABAF), Liquor Stores (Off-Premise Spirits Retail) (CRANABAA)

Keywords

• Wine distribution services
• Spirits importation agency
• Ontario beverage distribution
• LCBO wine sales agency
• Fine wine supplier representation

Headquarters

HQ city

Etobicoke

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Product Distribution and Sales Agency: Woodman Wines & Spirits operates as a wine and spirits agency/distributor in Ontario. They import, distribute, sell and market fine wines and spirits through the LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario). Revenue is generated through margin on product sales to Licensee customers (bars/restaurants), Grocery stores, and Retail partners. The company maintains separate price lists for each customer type.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Woodman Wines & Spirits is an Ontario-based wine and spirits sales agency that imports, distributes, sells, and markets fine wines and spirits through the LCBO system. The company acts as the exclusive Ontario sales agent for an enviable portfolio of world-renowned wine and spirit brands, securing listings, increasing product facings, and ensuring constant inventory turns for its suppliers. It operates dedicated licensee, grocery, and retail sales channels, and runs a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront for direct sales of curated wines and mixed cases.

Product overview

Woodman Wines & Spirits is an Ontario-based wine and spirits sales agency and distributor celebrating 35 years in business. The company operates a Shopify-powered e-commerce platform for direct sales while providing import, distribution, sales and marketing services for fine wines and spirits through the LCBO. The core business model combines online retail (featuring curated collections like Consignment Wines, Summer Sips, Vintages New Releases, Best Under $20, and Best Sellers) with agency services (Licensee Sales, Retail Sales, Grocery Sales, Strategic Planning, and Events). The company distributes products from approximately 35+ wine suppliers (including Bodegas Beronia, Bouchard Père & Fils, Château La Nerthe, González Byass, Maison Trimbach, and Rustenberg) and 7 spirits suppliers (including Casa Lumbre Spirits, El Dorado Rum, Glencadam Distillery, Nikka Whisky, and Templeton Rye).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Wine Distribution Services Importation, distribution, sales and marketing of fine wines in Ontario through the LCBO system. Woodman acts as a sales agency securing listings, increasing product facings, and ensuring constant inventory turns for supplier wines.
• Spirits Distribution Services Importation, distribution, sales and marketing of fine spirits in Ontario through the LCBO, including fostering relations with LCBO buyers and category managers on behalf of international spirits producers.
• Licensee Sales Services Sales services for bars, restaurants, and establishments with liquor licenses in Ontario, managed by dedicated Licensee Sales Representatives under the Vice President of Sales.
• Retail Sales Services Sales services for retail partners and specialty shops in Ontario, including management of product listings at LCBO retail stores and the Vintages Classics catalogue.
• Grocery Sales Services Sales services for licensed grocery stores selling wine and beer in Ontario, including maintaining a dedicated grocery price list.
• Strategic Planning and Marketing Development of annual sales and marketing strategies for wine and spirit principals, including trade show promotion, in-store tastings, advertising, PR, and media relations with journalists, bloggers, and wine writers.
• Events and Tastings Facilitation of exclusive wine dinners, portfolio tastings, in-store tastings, charitable fundraisers, and consumer and trade shows on behalf of supplier brands.
• Price Lists Subscription Up-to-date PDF price lists available for download, maintained separately for Licensee, Grocery, and Retail customer types across Ontario in Canadian dollars.
• Mixed Cases Curated mixed case selections of wines available for purchase via the Woodman website, permitted under AGCO regulations since June 2020 for licensed Ontario wine agencies.
• Consignment Wines Collection A curated online collection of premium wines available on consignment basis from regions including France, Italy, Spain, and California.
• Vintages New Releases Collection Online collection showcasing the latest releases from supplier wineries, featuring newly available vintages from various wine regions, available through the Vintages Classics catalogue at LCBO retail stores.
• Best Under $20 Collection Curated online collection of value wines priced under $20 featuring wines from Australia, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
• Our Best Sellers Collection Online collection featuring the most popular wines and spirits from the Woodman portfolio, including Nikka Japanese Whisky, François Villard Côte-Rôtie, El Dorado Rums, and Cave de Lugny wines.
• Summer Sips Collection

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bodegas BeroniacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRioja, Spain - An important Spanish wine producer represented by Woodman in Ontario through LCBO distribution.
• Bouchard Père & FilscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBurgundy, France - One of Burgundy's oldest wine merchant houses, founded in 1731. Major supplier in Woodman's portfolio with Premier Cru and Grand Cru wines.
• González ByasscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJerez, Spain - Family-owned wine and spirits company founded in 1835. Portfolio includes Tío Pepe Sherry, Vilarnau Cava, and multiple Spanish wine brands including Beronia, Viñas del Vero, Finca Constancia.
• Château La NerthecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChâteauneuf-du-Pape, France - Historic estate since 1560 in Provence. Pioneer of organic farming (Ecocert certified 1998) with 92 hectares producing Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines.
• Champagne HenriotcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChampagne, France - Prestigious Champagne house in Woodman's portfolio.
• Maison TrimbachcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAlsace, France - Renowned Alsace wine producer known for Riesling and Gewürztraminer.
• Rustenberg WinescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorStellenbosch, South Africa - Family-owned historic estate founded in 1962, producing acclaimed Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon from Simonsberg Mountain vineyards.
• Palacios RemondocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLa Rioja, Spain - Family winery with 150+ years of history. Winemaker Álvaro Palacios named Decanter Man of the Year 2015.
• Nikka WhiskycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorJapan - Leading Japanese whisky distillery providing premium whisky products for Ontario market.
• El Dorado RumcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGuyana - Premium Demerara rum producer, part of Woodman's spirits portfolio.
• JonatacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSanta Ynez, California, USA - Premium California winery producing Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Syrah from Santa Barbara County.
• Casa Lumbre SpiritsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMexico - Mexican spirits producer represented in Ontario market.
• Glencadam DistilleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrechin, Scotland - Scottish whisky distillery in Woodman's portfolio.
• Templeton RyeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIowa, USA - American rye whiskey brand in Woodman's spirits portfolio.
• Tomintoul DistilleryminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBanffshire, Scotland - Speyside whisky distillery represented by Woodman.
• BolliniminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTrentino, Italy - Italian wine producer known for Pinot Grigio from Trentino region.
• Bouvet LadubayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLoire Valley, France - Sparkling wine producer from Saumur region.
• PietradolceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMount Etna, Sicily - Italian winery from volcanic Mount Etna region.
• YalumbacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBarossa Valley, Australia - Australian wine family winery established in 1849, known for Shiraz and premium Australian wines.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Andrew Peller Limited: Large Canadian wine producer and retailer with agency representation for international brands. Major Ontario presence through Vintages and LCBO listings, overlapping with Woodman's portfolio.
• Mark Anthony Group: One of Canada's largest alcohol beverage companies, owner of White Claw, Mike's Hard, and a major beer/spirits portfolio. Broad incumbent that competes for supplier mandates and operates large-scale Canadian distribution.
• Corby Spirit and Wine: Major Canadian spirits marketer and distributor (acquirer of Hiram Walker, where Russell Woodman originated). Broad incumbent with deep Ontario relationships and a portfolio that competes with Woodman's spirits partners.
• Arterra Wines Canada: Canada's largest wine company, owning Jackson-Triggs, Inniskillin, and other brands plus significant agency portfolios. Dominant LCBO supplier and broader competitor for shelf space and supplier mandates.

Direct peers

• Peter Mielzynski Agencies: Long-standing Ontario wine and spirits agency, part of the Arterra Wines Canada ecosystem. Directly competes with Woodman for international supplier mandates and LCBO listings.
• Profile Wine Group: Canadian wine and spirits agency representing premium international brands across multiple provinces. Direct competitor in Ontario for LCBO listings and licensee accounts.
• Diamond Estates Wines & Spirits: Canadian wine producer and agency with a sales-and-distribution arm serving LCBO and other provincial channels. Overlaps with Woodman in agency representation and LCBO distribution.
• Trialto Wine Group: Leading Canadian wine and spirits sales agency representing multiple international producers across Canadian provinces, including Ontario. Closely comparable to Woodman in business model, LCBO-focused distribution, and multi-channel sales.
• Authentic Wine & Spirits Merchants: Canadian wine and spirits agency representing an international portfolio of family-owned producers. Closely comparable geographic and channel focus.
• The Grape Group: Ontario-based wine and spirits sales agency working with international suppliers and the LCBO. Direct comparable in size, scope, and channel mix.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/woodmanws
• Facebookfacebook.com/WoodmanWS
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/woodman-wines-and-spirits

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

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 Woodman Wines and Spirits