Award-winning, USDA-certified organic tequila brand enters the Great Lakes State through one of Michigan's most decorated distributors
Kalamazoo, MI — Solento Organic Tequila, the award-winning, USDA-certified organic tequila brand celebrated for its additive-free production and purposeful ethos, today announced its Michigan distribution partnership with Imperial Beverage. The launch marks a significant milestone in Solento's national expansion, bringing the brand's distinctive approach to craft spirits into the hands of Michigan consumers and accounts statewide.
Imperial Beverage, established in 1933 and family-owned by the Cekola family since 1984, is Michigan's only statewide beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic distributor and will represent Solento across all Michigan counties, connecting the brand to a wide network of on- and off-premise accounts through its four locations and 350-person team.
Imperial Beverage's proven track record, including recognition as Craft Beer Distributor of the Year and repeated honors as one of West Michigan's Best & Brightest Companies to Work For, reflects a team built around brand-building and exceptional execution. For Solento founder Taylor Steele, that pedigree made the fit immediately clear. "Michigan has a genuine appreciation for craft, quality, and brands with a real story behind them, and Imperial Beverage has spent decades proving they know how to bring those brands to life," said Steele. "Their family-first culture and commitment to doing things the right way lines up with everything Solento stands for. We couldn't ask for a better partner to grow with in this market."
Solento, a play on "slow sun" in Spanish, is crafted in small batches from sustainably grown, certified organic blue agave sourced from a single estate in Jalisco, Mexico. The brand is distinguished not only by its smooth, sippable expressions, but by a holistic commitment to sustainability, from its use of recycled materials in packaging to unconventional design choices that reflect its independent spirit. New placements will roll out across Michigan throughout 2026, featuring Solento Blanco, Solento Reposado, and Solento Añejo.
About Solento Organic Tequila Made for those who appreciate the ritual of slowing down and being present, Solento is an award-winning, USDA-certified organic tequila range made in small batches from a single estate in Jalisco. Founded in 2019 by filmmaker and surfer Taylor Steele, Solento (or "slow sun" in Spanish) is a sippable mindset that invites space for conversations that elevate and inspire. Three expressions — Blanco, Reposado, and Añejo — are crafted from certified organic agave grown leisurely under the Mexican sun for seven years.
About Imperial Beverage Imperial Beverage is a Michigan institution, established in 1933 and family-owned by the Cekola family since 1984. From a single-county beer distributor, Imperial has grown into a top-10 statewide wholesaler with 350 employees and four locations serving every Michigan county, every week, all year long.
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