Founded in 2009, Artisans and Vines was formed by two former Country Vintner pioneers. Artisans and Vines is an import marketing company focusing on European wines from France, Spain, Germany and Italy. Recently, the portfolio has grown to include new world wines from New Zealand and California. The passionate professionals with decades of experience have built the portfolio who seeks terroir-oriented wines from around the world.

In this forward-looking portfolio, old world Champagne producer, Poilvert-Jacques, and new world producer, Matakana Estate, from Marlborough, New Zealand, are just a couple of the gems.

The goal of Artisans and Vines is to be the best partner to their producer, distributors and ultimately top restaurants and retailers across the USA.

The former US sales director for Pacific Prime Wines, Eric Platt has become the managing partner and assumed the role as president and sales director for Artisans & Vines. Eric has over 25+ years of expertise in the fine wine industry including stints in retail, wholesale and importing. In 1987, Eric Platt has started his wholesale experience with the Milton Kronheim Company as a sales representative in the Washington, DC metropolitan market. Eric consequently developed the territory into the lead US markets for this exclusive French wine portfolio.

In 2008-2011, Eric career returned to wholesale directing the fine wine and spirits division of Washington Wholesale Liquor Company/Pinnacle House, a division of Charmer-Sunbelt.

In Artisans and Vines, the primary goal of Eric is to expand the distribution footprint of the company and the focus of the portfolio. Additions to the portfolio include wines from New Zealand and soon from Australia.

Fine Wines:

Artisans and Vines imports and distribute fine wines that are carefully and expertly selected from the vineyards in California, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Australia and New Zealand.

• 3 Sister& A Brother Red Blend

3 Sister & A Brother is deep, dark ruby with purple hues in colour. This wine has a ripe, vibrant fleshy dark berry fruit which is supported by secondary more savoury aromas of black olives, subtle dusty oak and exotic spices.  On the palate, the wine has flavors of blood plums and other dark fruits along with classic Shiraz flavours of chocolate and mocha.

•  Domaine Naturaliste Cabernet Sauvignon Rebus

Rebus Cabernet Sauvignon is a wine crafted to stay true to its heritage as an icon of the Margaret River region. The first release was in 2012 since then; Rebus has made friends with people and proteins across Australia.

• Zonte’s Footsteps Lake Doctor

The fruit for the Lake Doctor comes from a single block in the heart of the Langhorne Creek. Primary fermentation takes place in a combination of stainless steel vats and 5-tonne open fermenters after which the wine is assembled into the tank and allowed to complete a natural malo-lactic fermentation before being pressed off. It is then transferred to new & well-seasoned hogsheads and aged for up to12 months prior to bottling with minimal filtration. This results in a wine with purity of fruit that is unpretentious and eminently satisfying to allow for regular indulgence.

• Lustig Grüner Veltliner

Lustig wine is bright and light in colour. It has intensive aromas of apple and pear, softer acidity, round and well balanced at the finish combined with the typical peppery notes of the Grüner Veltliner.

• Lost Inhibitions Red Blends

Lost Inhibitions has a nose of jammy blackberry, cherry and raspberry with hints of black pepper and vanilla. This wine is rich, full-bodied and dark as midnight. A juicy palate follows with layers of black and red fruit, supple tannins and a pleasant, lingering finish.

To know more about their wine portfolio visit Artisans & Vines website.