Laureate Imports Company was established in 1979 as a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Trading Company. Its original mission was to generate counter-trade benefits for The Coca-Cola Company in several European Countries where Coca-Cola was expanding business. Laureate imported wines to the United States Market and portions of the hard currency generated were used in the host countries to buy ingredients to further the soft drink business there. In 1991, Coca-Cola sold Laureate Imports Company to a major wine supplier at that time in Slovenia named Slovenijavino. In 2000, Slovenijavino’s trademarked wines were acquired by the very well known and highly regarded winery, Klet Brda in Dobrovo on the Italian border. Avia Wines, a nationally known and successful line of varietal wines, continues to be marketed by Laureate Imports Company in the United States under the ownership of The Klet Brda Winery.