Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/488317
1 10 / the tasting panel / april 2015 Tier One Tier Two Southern Wine & Spirits, Illinois (Back, left to right) Christine Wente; Mel Dick, SWS; Amy Hoopes, Wente Family Estates; Michael Thompson, SWS, IL; Karl Wente; Eric Wente; and Steven Slater, Wente Family Estates. (Front, left to right) Bridget Epp, Wente Family Estates and Will Conniff, SWS, IL. First time Legacy Award winner, SWS, Illinois is up 9% in Wente portfolio sales from last year. General Wholesale Company, Georgia Bob Baranski, General Wholesale Company, GA; Bobby Goodman, Wente Family Estates; Eric Wente; Dale Lowenstein, General Wholesale Company, GA; and Carolyn Wente. In 2014, General Wholesale Company, GA's estate wine and single vineyard sales were up 9% and 12% respectively, and they grew their on premise account base by 15%. Tryon Distributing, North Carolina Bobby Goodman, Wente Family Estates; Eric Wente; Karl Wente; and Angie Packer, Tryon Distributing, North Carolina. Third time Legacy Award winner, Tryon Distributing, NC is up double digits in Wente portfolio sales for the fourth year in a row. Southern Wine & Spirits, Pennsylvania "The reputation of the family and the quality of the product, that's really the only warranty you need, and it makes selling their wine even easier for us. We were thrilled to make the sales contest, it's a long year of working to advance the brand," says Chuck Silio, Southern Wine & Spirits of Pennsylvania. His col- league, Mark Schaffer continues, "People cling to the idea of a family-run winery in America. They love to hear that all the generations are involved, and it's very special to them." Chuck Silio, SWS, PA; Carolyn Wente; Eric Wente; Mark Schaffer, SWS, PA; and Steven Slater, Wente Family Estates. In 2014, SWS, PA increased their total Wente portfolio sales by 99%, and were up 18% with on premise distribution. "We can't thank you enough for your commitment and being here several years," says Carolyn Wente. Southern Wine & Spirits, New Hampshire "There are two things you need to know about New Hampshire," began Carolyn Wente. "The state only has one area code and the state drink is apple cider, yet despite those things, SWS was still able to sell some California wines! Their depletions are up 11% since 2011, and we're absolutely thrilled." (Back, left to right) Mel Dick, SWS; Karl Wente; Steven Slater, Wente Family Estates; and Eric Wente. (Front, left to right) Chris Giudice, Wente Family Estates; Mark Simmons, SWS, NH; and Randy Barnhart, SWS, NH.