VALHALLA, N.Y. (March 7, 2023) — Wine Enthusiast Companies, composed of Wine Enthusiast Media and Wine Enthusiast Commerce, announced today the relaunch of Wine Enthusiast Importer Connection (Importer Connection). After taking a necessary hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program is officially back in operation for 2023.
Wine Enthusiast Importer Connection is a program that provides an opportunity for a wine producer to present their wines to a potential importer, with the goal of entering the United States market. Producers who may apply for Importer Connection include winemakers who are not currently selling wines in the dynamically growing American market to those who are looking to develop a new relationship with an importer to sell different SKUs not currently sold in the United States.
To participate in Wine Enthusiast Importer Connection, a producer must apply to the program and send samples to the Importer Connection tasting panel. Wines that meet the program criteria are blind tasted and rated on the 100-point scale. Comprised of qualified internal tasters, the Importer Connection tasting panel is separate from the Wine Enthusiast magazine tasting panel. Another difference between the two programs is the submission fee. As a reader service, Wine Enthusiast magazine does not accept payment for wines to be reviewed and rated. As a trade service, Wine Enthusiast Importer Connection requires producers pay a fee to support wines being reviewed, rated, and communicated in dedicated Importer Connection newsletters.
The dedicated Importer Connection newsletters are fully focused on sharing the ratings and reviews of wines that score 80 or above. The newsletters are released to the wine and beverage industry trade, including importers, distributors, restaurateurs, retailers, and media.
Also included in these newsletters are the producers’ contact details. Wine Enthusiast Importer Connection provides this contact information to put producers immediately in front of potential importers. The newsletters serve as a go-to resource for importers to learn of new wines produced by underrepresented wineries. Importers can reach out to the winemakers who fit their portfolio needs and gather more information on a specific product.
“We are excited to relaunch Wine Enthusiast Importer Connection and continue helping international wine producers make an entrance into the United States,” said Jacqueline Strum, President & Publisher of Wine Enthusiast Media. “Importer Connection creates a cost-effective opportunity to introduce unrepresented wineries outside of America to the American market. It allows wine producers around the globe, in every region, to make relationships with U.S. importers.”
For more information on Wine Enthusiast Importer Connection, including how to participate or sign up to receive the Importer Connection newsletters, click here. To contact the Importer Connection team directly, email IC@wineenthusiast.net. For press inquiries or requests to speak with a Wine Enthusiast team member at VinExpo NYC 2023, ProWein 2023, or VinItaly 2023, contact Bonnary Lek.
Last Updated: June 22, 2023
