Sovereign Brands Expands U.S. Distribution Partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: (May 1, 2026) -- Sovereign Brands, a family-owned global wine and spirits company, announced the expansion of its U.S. distribution partnership with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits (Southern Glazer's), the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol.

Under the new agreement, the Sovereign Brands portfolio will be distributed by Southern Glazer's network in 23 additional markets, including Arizona, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, and others, bringing total representation to 37 U.S. markets.

“We’ve always placed a priority on partnering with distributors who share our ambition and commitment to building brands,” said Brian Berish, chief operating officer of Sovereign Brands. “Given the longstanding relationship between our family and Southern Glazer’s, this chapter feels full circle. By expanding our footprint with Southern Glazer's, we are deepening our ability to unlock new opportunities for growth in support of our long-term objectives.”

“We’re pleased to expand our highly valued relationship with Sovereign Brands and look forward to leveraging our best-in-class sales, marketing, and operational programming to drive sustainable growth across their dynamic portfolio,” said Gene Sullivan, chief sales & marketing officer of Southern Glazer’s.

Media Inquiries

Jamie Shapiro | PR Manager, Sovereign Brands

About Sovereign Brands

Sovereign Brands is a family-owned, global wine and spirits company headquartered in Highland Park, IL. Owned and operated by the Berish family and partners, Sovereign Brands brings together first-class producers from the world’s most celebrated wine and spirit regions to deliver best-in-class brands. The company’s portfolio of category-defining brands includes Luc Belaire, a smash-hit line of French sparkling wines that has earned global acclaim for its exquisite taste and striking packaging and is available in more than 100 countries worldwide. The portfolio also includes Bumbu, which ranks as the world’s #1 selling super-premium rum*; McQueen and the Violet Fog, an extraordinary gin from Jundiaí, Brazil; Villon, a rich, spiced French liqueur with tantalizing notes of vanilla, chai, and toasted oak; and The Deacon, a premium blended Scotch Whisky made of Islay and Speyside malts.

*Based on IWSR Global Database 2025 in volume and value for 2024 for Super Premium Rum – re: Bumbu The Original and Bumbu XO.

About Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits

Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s preeminent distributor of beverage alcohol, building brands for moments that matter. The multi-generational, family-owned Company has operations in 47 U.S. markets and Canada, as well as brokerage operations through its Southern Glazer’s Travel Retail Sales & Export Division in the Caribbean, Central, and South America. In 2026, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging & Community. In 2025, Southern Glazer’s was recognized by Newsweek as one of America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity and America’s Greatest Workplaces for Women. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly.