Company profiles updated 28 September 2026. Market figures refer to 2025.

Finding wine importers in the United States starts with two decisions: which states to target and which sales channel fits your wines. A national importer can manage a portfolio across the country while relying on different distributors to reach accounts in each state. For a winery, the useful question is therefore not simply who imports wine, but who can sell your range at the right price in the markets you want to develop.

This guide profiles 10 wine importers and explains how to build a commercially relevant US shortlist. For the wider process, see our guide to finding wine importers.

The US wine import market: scale and commercial context

The United States remained the world’s largest wine importer by value in 2025. Imports reached 12.0 million hectolitres and €5.5 billion, down 2.0% in volume and 11.6% in value compared with 2024. Source: OIV, State of the World Wine Sector in 2025, published May 2026.

For exporters, this is a substantial market in which a listing needs a credible sales case. National totals do not establish demand for a particular appellation or price point. Build your proposal around the accounts a buyer serves, a realistic shelf or wine-list position, and the support your winery can provide after the first shipment.

10 wine importers in the United States to research

US wine importers use different commercial models. The ten companies below provide starting points for researching portfolio fit, importing responsibilities and state-level distribution. A company’s base does not establish national coverage; confirm the route to market for each proposed launch state.

Winebow

Winebow combines wine importing and distribution, with its database record based in Glen Allen, Virginia. Its range includes wine, sparkling wine and spirits. Its national import portfolio and direct distribution operations in selected markets provide different routes that a winery should distinguish.

Before approaching: Confirm the relevant portfolio division, launch states and the distributor responsible for local sales.

Website: winebow.com

M. S. Walker

M. S. Walker is based in Norwood, Massachusetts, and combines importing and distribution with agency and brokerage activities. Its portfolio includes wine, sparkling wine and spirits.

Before approaching: Establish which commercial role the company would perform for your wines, who would hold stock and which states the proposal would cover.

Website: mswalker.com

Park Street Imports

Park Street Imports is based in Miami and its database profile includes importing and distribution, with wine, beer and spirits among its categories.

Before approaching: Clarify the scope of the proposed relationship, including import administration, inventory and responsibility for generating sales; do not assume every importing arrangement includes brand development.

Website: parkstreet.com

Terlato Wine Group

Terlato Wine Group is based in Lake Bluff, Illinois, with importing and distribution activities spanning wine, sparkling wine and spirits.

Before approaching: Identify the appropriate wine portfolio and assess overlap with existing producers before discussing state coverage and launch support.

Website: terlato.com

W. J. Deutsch & Sons

W. J. Deutsch & Sons is based in Stamford, Connecticut, and operates as an importer with wine and spirits in its portfolio. Its database record links to Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits.

Before approaching: Confirm the relevant buying team and the distributor route for each proposed launch state, alongside price positioning and available volume.

Website: deutschfamily.com

Palm Bay International

Palm Bay International combines importing and distribution, with its database record based in West Palm Beach, Florida. Its listed categories include wine, sparkling wine and spirits.

Before approaching: Assess the relevant portfolio and clarify who will execute the launch in your priority states, including tastings, account introductions and replenishment.

Website: palmbay.com

Royal Wine Corporation

Royal Wine Corporation is based in Bayonne, New Jersey, and combines importing and distribution. Its product categories include wine, sparkling wine and spirits.

Before approaching: Check the specific range and any product or certification requirements before judging whether your wines fit the portfolio.

Website: royalwine.com

Kobrand Corporation

Kobrand is an importer based in Purchase, New York, with wine, sparkling wine and spirits in its product range.

Before approaching: Establish a clear portfolio gap and discuss representation, state distribution and the resources required to support a launch.

Website: kobrandwineandspirits.com

Skurnik Wines & Spirits

Skurnik’s database record, under Michael Skurnik Wines, is based in New York and covers importing, distribution and wholesaling. Its range spans wine, sparkling wine and spirits. Direct wholesale operations in selected states and a national portfolio served through regional partners require different launch plans.

Before approaching: Confirm whether the proposal concerns a direct wholesale market or the national portfolio, and who will support the wines in each target state.

Website: skurnik.com

Folio Fine Wine Partners

Folio’s database record, under Folio Wine Company, is based in Napa, California. Its business types include importing and wine agency or brokerage, with wine and sparkling wine in its range.

Before approaching: Clarify representation responsibilities, distributor appointments and portfolio fit before discussing territory or exclusivity.

Website: foliowine.com

Company-level facts: BestWineImporters database records reviewed 28 September 2026. These examples illustrate business models, not a ranking or a list of open buying requirements. Locations identify company bases rather than sales territories. Product categories are not necessarily exhaustive. The qualification points are editorial guidance rather than statements of buyer requirements.

Find importers that match your wines. Request a demo tailored to your origins, price range and target channels.

Understand the importer and distributor roles

Separate responsibility for bringing the wine into the country from responsibility for building sales in a state. Some companies perform both roles; others appoint distributor partners. A national agreement alone does not tell you where the wine will be actively sold.

Ask which states will launch first, who will hold inventory, which sales teams will present the wines, and which account types are realistic. Agree how stock, samples, promotions and sales reporting will work. Our comparison of wine importers, distributors and agents explains the commercial distinctions.

For wines covered by the Federal Alcohol Administration Act, US import arrangements involve federal permit and label requirements, alongside applicable state and local rules. The TTB’s bottled alcohol import guidance explains these requirements. Establish who handles compliance before committing to shipment.

Match the route to your winery

• Small estates and limited allocations: assess specialists with a clear regional or stylistic fit. A focused launch with committed account coverage may be more manageable than an unsupported national rollout.
• Premium producers with expansion capacity: evaluate the importer’s regional distribution network and ability to support staff training, tastings and repeat orders.
• Volume and private-label suppliers: lead with production capacity, specification consistency, packaging options and a cost structure suited to the intended retail program.

Compare these requirements with other destinations before assigning your budget. Our guide to choosing wine export markets provides a useful framework.

How to qualify US wine buyers

1. Define the launch: select target states, account types, two or three lead wines and the intended consumer price range.
2. Check portfolio fit: compare origin, style, price and existing representation. Identify a specific gap your range could fill.
3. Map distribution: distinguish the importer’s own wholesale operations from partner coverage. Ask which states have an active route for your category.
4. Model the price: work backwards from the target shelf price through the proposed commercial terms, logistics, applicable duties and margins. Use our US wine price calculator as a planning aid, then validate the assumptions with your partner.
5. Check execution: discuss initial orders, replenishment, payment terms, inventory ownership, launch activity and reporting.
6. Agree the next step: confirm category interest and sample requirements before sending bottles.

Apply our importer evaluation checklist to the strongest prospects, then record the evidence in a qualified importer shortlist.

What to send in your first approach

Keep the opening message focused: why the portfolio fit makes sense, the wines proposed, export prices and terms, available volumes, and target states. Include concise technical sheets covering vintage, origin, grape varieties, ABV, bottle and case format, and relevant certifications. Explain what sales support you can sustain.

Avoid promising nationwide exclusivity before understanding the buyer’s rollout plan and obligations. Prepare a focused follow-up using our wine importer email and follow-up guide.

Build your US wine importer shortlist

Use BestWineImporters to begin researching potential US partners, then qualify them against your portfolio, price range and distribution objectives. Request a demo and tell our team your wine origins, target prices and priority states so the discussion can focus on your export needs.

Compare related export markets

When planning a broader North American campaign, compare state-level distribution with the buying routes in the Canada wine importer guide and the Mexico wine importer guide. Qualify buyers, territory and commercial terms separately for each market.

Frequently asked questions

Can one importer give a winery national distribution?

An importer may work nationally, but account access and sales execution depend on its own operations and distributor relationships in individual states. Ask for a concrete launch and coverage plan.

Should a small winery approach the largest importers first?

Prioritize portfolio fit and the attention your range will receive. Size alone does not establish whether a buyer is suitable for your production volume, positioning or desired pace of growth.

Are the companies listed above accepting new producers?

Supplier opportunities depend on category needs, portfolio availability and buying cycles. Confirm interest with the relevant buying team before arranging samples.