Kingsland Drinks bags UK distribution for Cellier des Dauphins wines

Kingsland Drinks has entered into a customer-specific distribution agreement with Cellier des Dauphins, leading AOC wine brand in France.

The deal covers all key appellations of the major producer of wines in the Rhône Valley, including Côtes du Rhône, Côtes du Rhône Villages and Crus such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Vinsobres and Cairanne.

Kingsland Drinks said it will focus on the distribution in nominated off-trade customers of the global brand. The independent supplier will also represent wine ranges from Cellier des Dauphins, including Val Soléu and Les Dauphins, as well as having the capacity to supply a wide selection of retailer own label Rhône wines.

Adam Marshall, buying controller at Kingsland Drinks, said: “We are delighted to add Cellier des Dauphins to our portfolio of high-quality producers. It is steeped in history and at the same time, open to innovation and exciting product and brand development, which makes it a perfect fit for Kingsland Drinks.

“Our research shows that the Cellier des Dauphins brands have, by far, the youngest and most affluent shoppers of the top French brands, presenting a real opportunity to bring something engaging to the French category.”

Created in 1967 from the union of 11 wine cooperatives, Cellier des Dauphins today consists of 2,000 winegrowing families covering around a dozen appellations. The brand, famous for its iconic bottle shape, sells the equivalent of 20 million bottles worldwide.

Marin Bourayne, export director from Cellier des Dauphins, commented: “Cellier des Dauphins is a successful global brand and Kingsland Drinks is a fantastic partner for us to continue build on that success within the UK market. The team at Kingsland Drinks has a significant presence in the UK with long-standing customer relationships and the company’s family values mirror our own, so the partnership is a natural fit.”

Cellier des Dauphins, which has existing listings in various UK retailers including Tesco and Majestic, hopes to build the brand presence throughout the UK off-trade with the partnership.