AUSTIN, Texas, May 17, 2016 /PRNewswire/ — Milestone Brands LLC today announced its formation as a beverage alcohol supplier and investor with the acquisition of Dulce Vida Spirits, the parent company of Dulce Vida Tequila, as its first acquisition. Milestone Brands LLC was formed in February 2016 by Eric Dopkins, former CEO of Deep Eddy Vodka. Dopkins will lead the organization as CEO and chairman, and Chad Auler, co-founder of Deep Eddy Vodka, will be president and co-founder of Milestone Brands.

“We have been working for the last several months on acquisitions and are excited for the future of Milestone Brands,” said Dopkins, Co-founder and CEO of Milestone Brands LLC. “Dulce Vida Tequilas has much potential for growth and expansion, and we are so pleased to announce Dulce Vida Spirits as our first acquisition.”

Headquartered in Austin, Texas, members of Milestone’s leadership team also include Dan Visel, Vice President of Finance; Dan Shuff, Vice President of Marketing; Henry Weaver, Vice President of National Accounts, and Richard Sorenson, Chief Operating Officer.

Dulce Vida Spirits was formed in 2009 in Austin, Texas, with the launch of Dulce Vida Tequila, the only 100 proof, USDA certified organic tequila in the world, now sold in 17 states. The tequila hails from the Los Altos region of Jalisco in Mexico. As part of the agreement, Milestone Brands LLC will retain all Dulce Vida Spirits employees.

“The tequila category is robust and expected to outpace the spirits category over the next five years,” said Chad Auler, Co-founder of Milestone Brands, LLC. “Dulce Vida Tequilas has tremendous potential to break through, and we are excited to relaunch the brand and breathe new life into the existing line of tequilas.”

A veteran of the beverage industry for nearly 25 years, Dopkins was the former CEO of Austin-based Deep Eddy Vodka, where he led the growth and expansion of the company from $6 million in sales in a handful of markets to more than $73 million across the country, in just three years. The brand is now the fastest growing spirit brand in the top 100 spirits, and was recently acquired by Kentucky-based Heaven Hill Brands.

ABOUT MILESTONE BRANDS

Milestone Brands LLC, a premium spirits company based in Austin, Texas, was founded in February 2016 by two local entrepreneurs and veterans of the beverage and spirits industry, Eric Dopkins, former CEO of Deep Eddy Vodka and Chad Auler, creator of Savvy Vodka and co-founder of Deep Eddy Vodka. The brand includes Dulce Vida Spirits, parent company of the world’s only 100 proof, USDA certified organic tequila, in its portfolio as its first acquisition. Milestone Brands LLC is a national spirits supplier and acquirer, innovator and marketer of alcohol beverage brands.

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SOURCE Milestone Brands LLC