The northeastern wine market has always been driven by dedicated professionals seeking the best brands from around the world and small New York wine importers are some of the most dynamic companies in the business. From niche ethnic restaurants and boutique wine retailers to some of the world’s finest establishments, New York importers are focused on understanding and servicing the needs of their diverse accounts.

Even with widespread consolidation taking over much of the distribution business across the USA, local importers and distributors work night and day to compete against bigger national companies and provide their accounts with the best possible selection of unique brands. One of New York’s more specialized importers, Jenny & François Selections are a good example of the amount of time and energy that importers take in finding the perfect wines to offer across the market. Since 2000, the business has focused their efforts on sourcing only natural wines. 

Their offerings come from wineries around the world who practice organic and biodynamic growing methods as well as organic cellar practices.  Among other specifications, during fermentation ‘natural’ winemakers do not to add any lab yeasts, sugars, sulfites, enzymes, acids, or concentrators and they are bottled and aged without stabilizers or sulfites. Beyond their meticulous import portfolio, they also make sure that they can get their wines to accounts dedicated to the natural cause by distributing their wines themselves through their state distribution company, USA Wine Imports.

A long-standing and well-respected importer, Robert Kacher Selectionsis known for their dedication to the trade and for bringing some of the most exclusive wines to market.  Small, family-run estates is their modus operandi and they have developed uncompromising standards for their portfolio.

Their long-term relationships with like-minded growers and winemakers have given them the ability to compose a library of expressive and elegant wines they make available through their distribution partners Empire Merchants and Little Wine Company. Peter Lucania and Warren Fraser, owners of Peter/Warren Selections, have over 30 years of combined experience in the industry that they bring to their fine wine import company.  Featuring a portfolio of wines from France, Argentina, Austria and the United States, PW Selections focus their energy on finding wines using their top criteria: taste.  

Through exploring their favorite territories, Peter and Warren source wines that reflect the exceptional qualities of the land from where they are grown.  Their personal approach means that they can bring surprising varietals from intriguing terroirs to their partners with absolute confidence. Metropolis Wine Merchants is a boutique wine, family-owned importer, and distributor who specialize in French, Spanish, Germany, South African, Italian and Chilean wines. 

They too work tirelessly to find family-owned wineries and present a rare selection of wines to their partners to choose from. Located in downtown Manhattan, they keep all of their offerings in a climate controlled environment and deliver throughout the five major New York boroughs. 

Personally choosing artisan suppliers from a wide-ranging world of styles, Metropolis takes pride in their ability to bring some of the most exciting wines and overall quality to their partner’s shops. AP Wine Imports is another importer whose dedication to the trade is clearly reflected in their portfolio. 

From Abruzzo to Veneto, their selection of European fine wines from family-owned estates is made available through their ability to represent themselves as some of the most knowledgeable and professional wine industry members and by maintaining a high caliber of ethics in their business.  Their partners understand that working with AP means working with a group committed to helping their partners, their employees and their customers enjoy a fruitful relationship.

Featuring wines from the down under, Little Peacock Imports' tagline, 'Wines Aussies kept for themselves. Now imported to the United States,' pretty much defines they're unique character.  

This company has done an absolutely amazing job at bringing exceptional Australian offerings to the US market.  Started with the motivation of changing the US perception of Australian wine, Little Peacock specializes in brands that truly reflect Australian estate run wineries with a genuine story to tell.  Exciting wines from the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula, Central Victoria, Margaret River, Frankland River, McLaren Vale, Adelaide Hills, Riverina and the Barossa is what they offer and they do it with a real passion that is hard to ignore.  

Solstars Wines is a New York-based importer and distributor of premier wines from Italy, Spain, France, and Israel. Their portfolio offering gives partners an in-depth look at some undiscovered brands from the main regions of the world as well as some exciting offerings from the newly emerging Israeli market.  The meaning of the name, Solstars, comes from the idea that, like the dependably exceptional wines of their portfolio, enjoying the beauty of the sun and stars should be a part of everybody's daily routine.

A very inspiring import and distribution company, HP Selections is another fine example of an independent New York import company taking the industry bar to remarkable heights.  

Showcasing a portfolio of family-owned wineries, their selection is a continually developing picture of an accessible and cost-effective approach to exceptional wines.  Harry Poulakakos' personal story of a Greek immigrant coming to the US and making New York the home of his successful wine import company inspires the company to continue in his footsteps as they develop their image as one of the premiere companies championing the independent scene in New York City.

Romano Brands Fine Wines offers their services to boutique wine retailers and restaurants across New York.  Their small, hyper-focused company has developed a reputation for fine wines that fit both niche and mass markets.  Doing business out of Long Island, their company works in both New Jersey and New York and offers partners a wide array of value-driven offerings. Coeur Wine Co. represents a wide range of brands from France, USA, Italy and Spain.  

Their mission to connect passionate winemakers with passionate consumers is exemplified by their enthusiastic endeavor of continually seeking out noteworthy wineries that reveal timeless stories. To Coeur, they know that servicing the New York market means more than just offering a premium wine at a good price point.  

They recognize the importance that their partners and New York consumers put in following up a great tasting wine with a romantic story that captures the landscape of that wine's origin and the heart of the people that make it so special. Another importer and distributor focused on natural wines, David Bowler Wine's portfolio consists of a interesting mix of labels from France, Germany, Spain, Austria, and Italy. Due to the nature of their delicate selection, they are environmentally picky and choose to keep all of their wines in a temperature controlled environment until they are passed off to their partners.  

The company was started in 2003 with the intention of servicing some of the higher end accounts in New York and because of their attention to detail, a quest for exceptional examples of natural wines and the great network, David Bowler has become a go-to staple New York-based import company.

Formed in 2008, Vision Wine Brands is an import company run by three wine professionals whose passion to bring their expertise to the forefront of the import industry brought them together. Robert Mazurkiewicz, Fillipo Pistone, and Ricardo Castiblanco bring a wide range of experience in brand management, wine sourcing, and sales strategy to their selection process of superb wines that offer true value to their partners. 

Ranging from Argentina to France, their portfolio of old and new world wines offer the perfect match to restaurants and retailers looking for fresh ideas that their costumers will love the price of. For over twenty five years Tri-Vi Imports has been focusing on bringing premium quality and high value wines wines into New York.  Started by two seasoned industry pioneers, Tri-vin is known for their large selection of Portuguese wines and offers their producers innovative marketing and sales strategies to ensure all of their partners find themselves in the best possible position for the current market.  Although they are known for the Portuguese section of their portfolio, they also work closely with wineries from Argentina, Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Ireland, New Zealand, Romania, South Africa, Spain and the United States.

Testa Wines of the World is perhaps one of the most intriguing wine importers from New York.  Established just after prohibition, Testa Wines has been home to some of the most renowned brands to come to the US. 

From the Old World, Bolla, Moet, Antinori, Ruffino, Perrier Jouet, Mouton Cadet, Vueve Clicquot and Korbel all started out in the Testa Portfolio. Beyond just their European firsts, Testa was also the first to bring Argentina’s big names Trapiche, Navarro Correas, Humberto Canale and Andean vineyards to the USA and was also the first importer to bring Australian wine to market.

It’s not just their ability to seek out the best before they became the best that really gives Testa Wines of the World a top place amongst New York importers. Testa wines has continued to be one of the industry’s biggest market influences while resisting the pressures of consolidation and staying true as a leading example of what an independent import company can still achieve in today.

About USATT

The USA Trade Tasting (USATT) event is an annual New York City wine, beer & spirits expo that gives an opportunity to buyers from all across the USA to meet global wine, beer, and spirits suppliers. It includes a two-day business conference, a networking breakfast for large retailers, coaching sessions for sales team members, and a private tasting of award-winning wines, beers, and spirits. 

By participating at this high-profile event, you will walk away with the connections and relationships needed to become profitable in the competitive U.S. wine and spirits marketplace for years to come.