NOVATO, Calif., March 27, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Winery Exchange announced today the acquisition of Chronic Cellars, an innovative and fast growing Paso Robles wine brand.

Founded by brothers Jake and Josh Beckett in 2008, Chronic Cellars is recognized as a counter-culture brand that produces exceptional wines, most notably red blends such as the Zinfandel-based Purple Paradise and the Syrah-based Sofa King Bueno. This edgy, up-and-coming brand has posted strong growth through its tasting room, wine club and wholesale channels, despite having limited distribution and availability to this point.

The Beckett family will continue to have active roles with Chronic Cellars. Josh will remain the winemaker; Jake will lead Chronic’s marketing and brand development; and Dawn will continue to manage the brand’s tasting room and wine club. “The partnership with Winery Exchange gives us the sales coverage and financial resources necessary to continue Chronic’s expansion, while maintaining the brand’s integrity and quality,” said Jake Beckett. “We are excited to watch our brand continue to grow.”

Peter Byck, the President and CEO of Winery Exchange, believes that the brand is an excellent fit within the company’s portfolio of beverage alcohol products. “Chronic Cellars is a phenomenon in the market place – a combination of unbelievable wines and unique brand characteristics that resonate with millennial consumers,” stated Mr. Byck. “We are excited that Jake and Josh are staying engaged with the business, and look forward to working with them to grow Chronic and continue its involvement in the Paso Robles community.”

“Chronic Cellars has garnered a cult-like reputation among consumers seeking memorable and distinctively different wines and has established itself as a leader in the next generation of wines targeting millennial consumers,” expanded Oren Lewin, SVP of Marketing at Winery Exchange. “Chronic fits with our strategy to build a portfolio of national brands that are truly differentiated and bring new consumers into the wine category.”

Zepponi & Company served as the exclusive financial advisor to Chronic Cellars and negotiated the sale to Winery Exchange. “Our team is excited to watch where Winery Exchange takes Chronic Cellars. The momentum and success already created by Jake and Josh with this brand is sure to soar in the hands of Winery Exchange’s partnership with the Becketts,” explained Joe Ciatti, a partner at Zepponi & Company. Zepponi & Company is a global merger and acquisition advisory firm that exclusively serves the wine industry.

Founded in 1999, Winery Exchange is a premier value-added provider of customized beverage alcohol products and services to customers around the world. The company’s portfolio of differentiated brands includes Our Daily Red and Orleans Hill, the leading USDA-certified organic and sulfite-free wines, which allow sulfite-sensitive consumers to enjoy great wine. Winery Exchange also develops, markets and sells exclusive, custom wine, beer and spirits brands for major retailers in the U.S. and abroad.

Media Contact: Oren Lewin
SVP of Marketing, Winery Exchange
oren.lewin@wineryexchange.com
707-738-5977 (M)

SOURCE Winery Exchange