Trinchero Family Estates forms alliance with Charles & Charles Wines

CALIFORNIA, US - Charles Smith (K Vintners, Charles Smith Wines) and Charles Bieler (Three Thieves, Bieler Père et Fils & Gotham Project) on January 9 announced that they have formed a strategic alliance with Trinchero Family Estates (TFE), which will manage sales, distribution and marketing for their successful joint wine venture, Charles & Charles. This will be the first Washington state brand for TFE, whose growing portfolio includes such iconic brands as Sutter Home, Ménage à Trois and Joel Gott wines.

Smith and Bieler will continue to direct the winemaking and vision for the brand, sourcing the highest quality grapes from their strong grower relationships throughout Washington State, and crafting and bottling the wines in the Columbia Valley. “This alliance is awesome for Charles & Charles wines and huge for the entire Washington wine industry. It’s very exciting to work with Trinchero given the power of their distribution and sales network,” said Charles Smith.

Bob Torkelson, president and COO of TFE, states, “We are excited to be selected by Charles & Charles to help bring their wine to more consumers throughout US and internationally. Bieler and Smith have created a solid brand with a loyal following and we think it’s a great fit for our portfolio.” Torkelson added, “Washington wines are on fire, and sales of Washington table wines are outpacing total table wine by 53% (5.3% vs. 3.5%).”*

TFE enters this strategic alliance with familiar faces, as Charles Bieler has been working with TFE on the successful Three Thieves brand. Bieler adds, "I’m thrilled to link up, via Charles & Charles, two great friends in Trinchero Family Estates and Charles Smith."

The current Charles & Charles portfolio includes a Cabernet Sauvignon-Syrah Red Blend and a Rosé of Syrah (which was #42 on this year’s Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list). The brand has grown and generated considerable demand over the last three years and is outpacing the Washington category by 25.3%.* As for what’s next for the brand, Smith adds, “There’s always something new up our sleeves.”