Quintessential acquires Accolade’s US wine brands

Napa-based importer Quintessential Wines has acquired all of the American wines within Accolade’s portfolio, including Geyser Peak, for an undisclosed sum.

As part of the deal, which comes into play on 1 August, Quintessential will take ownership of four Accolade brands: Napa-based Geyser Peak and Atlas Peak, and Outlot and XYZin from Sonoma. In May Quintessential became the exclusive US importer of several Accolade wine brands.

“It is an honor to procure such a prestigious and historic portfolio of wines, including the iconic Geyser Peak,” said Dennis Kreps, co-owner of Quintessential.

“As Geyser Peak enters its 140^th anniversary this year, our main focus will be in growing its footprint and continuing to restore the wine to its former glory.”

Founded in 1880, Geyser Peak is one of California’s most recognised wine brands in the US.

To help revive the brand, Quintessential has hired consultant winemaker and Sauvignon Blanc specialist Robert Pepi Jr. to “rebuild and reinvigorate” Geyser Peak.

“Our decision to exit wine production in the US reflects our sharpened focus on building core international brands and markets,” said Accolade’s CEO, Robert Foye.

“We couldn’t think of better custodians of Geyser Peak and its sister brands than the Kreps family. The North American market remains enormously important for Accolade.

“Through our partnership with Quintessential, we are tapping into the huge potential to grow some of our iconic labels, including Hardy’s, Grant Burge, St Hallett and Mud House,” Foye added.

Founded in 2002 by father and son, Stephen and Dennis Kreps, Quintessential is a wine import, marketing and sales firm based in California.