Martignetti Companies To Acquire Hartley & Parker Limited, Expands Operations in New England

Martignetti Companies, a New England distributor of wines and spirits, announced yesterday an agreement to acquire Hartley & Parker Limited, Inc. in Connecticut, expanding the company’s footprint in New England.

Established in 1908, Martignetti Companies is the 6th largest distributor of wines and spirits in the country, according to the company’s statement. Based in Taunton, Massachusetts, the distributor operates in five New England states: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Maine. With this acquisition in Connecticut, Martignetti will now be the only wine and spirits distributor with operations in all six states.

The combined company will offer a portfolio of brands with coordinated sales and marketing capabilities for its customers and suppliers across New England, according to the statement. Hartley & Parker Limited’s portfolio consists of more than 6,000 spirit and wine brands from around the world, and serves 5,000 on- and off-premise accounts across the state.

Large distributor consolidations have made headlines in past years, and the biggest distributors in the U.S. are themselves the results of mergers. But smaller to mid-size distributors, like Martignetti Companies, have been consolidating in an attempt to compete too.

The company got its start as a grocery store in Boston’s North End, expanding into retail wine sales and later distribution. Since then the distributor has expanded its territory and portfolio with strategic consolidations. In 2009, it announced its acquisition of Commonwealth Wine & Spirits, the exclusive distributor of E. & J. Gallo Winery.

The acquisition is expected to close in the first half of this year.

Margs Heads to Three More States

NYC-based canned margarita company Margs announced plans this week to distribute across Texas, Illinois, Georgia.

The tequila-based cocktail launched in 2021 and is sold in five flavors including classic, mango, coconut, mezcal, and spicy. Margs will be distributed in Texas with Green Light Distribution, Breakthru Beverage Group in Illinois, and Savannah Distributing Company in Georgia. That brings the company’s presence to six states including its launch footprint of New York, New Jersey, and Florida. The brand is also available at a variety of liquor stores, restaurants, and a stadiums and venues including MetLife Stadium, Highmark Stadium, UBS Arena, and Tao Group.

Co-Founders Joey Angelo and Brian Axelrod are veterans of the wine and spirits industry: Angelo most recently served as President and Co-Founder of VIVA XXXII Tequila and Axelrod most recently was a core member on the founding team with Conor McGregor for Irish whiskey Proper 12. Last spring, the company announced a $3 million investment from Lab Capital Advisors.

Costa Tequila Expands to Tennessee

Costa Tequila announced a partnership with Ajax Turner to bring its lineup of tequila blends to Tennessee. Costa, which launched in 2019 offers three expressions, including blanco, reposado, and añejo, and is currently distributed in 12 states and nationally online.

Costa Tequila’s Hi/Lo expressions intentionally bring together flavor profiles from agaves sourced in two traditionally separate tequila regions in Jalisco, Mexico: Los Altos (the highlands) and Valle de Tequila (the lowlands).

“It has been exciting to be a part of tequila’s exponential growth over the last few years. The increase in awareness and demand for the spirit have encouraged people to learn more about how tequila is made and where it comes from,” said Stephen Gavula III, Costa Tequila founder. “We are proud to bring our non-traditional approach and unique products to Tennessee.”

The three varieties retail for $63.99 for the Añejo, $41.99 for the Blanco, and $46.99 for the Reposado.

Tonayán Comes to the U.S.

Mexcor International, a Houston-based importer and distributor, announced last week it will be the first distributor outside of Mexico to begin carrying Tonayán, a combination sugarcane and agave spirit.

With 1.5 million cases moved annually in Mexico, locals most commonly enjoy the liquor in the form of aguas locas, an alcohol laced fruit punch.

“It is a huge milestone for our company to become the first distributor for Tonayán outside of Mexico,” said Eduardo Morales, president and CEO of Mexcor International. “This announcement further strengthens our position of being a leading distributor for Hispanic brands, and we look forward to continuing the diversification of our portfolio by bringing brands like Tonayán to further their brand exposure here in the United States.”

Mariah Carey’s Black Irish Cream Liqueur Goes International

In celebrity alcohol news, Black Irish Cream Liqueur by Mariah Carey will officially launch in areas of South America and the Caribbean this spring. This announcement marks the brand’s first international distribution.

Founded by the global superstar, the name of the brand is a nod to her father, who was Black, and her mother’s Irish heritage. Black Irish will release the full portfolio of flavors – original, salted caramel and white chocolate – upon its launch across the region and be available in 750 ml bottles for $29 USD. Mexico, Brazil, and the Bahamas will lead the way, with other markets following shortly after.

The first spirit brand from the singer, Black Irish was launched in August 2021 and is distributed in 48 U.S. states. Due to a trademark dispute, the company has been unable to export to Ireland or the rest of the European Union.