One of the many things we love about working in the wine industry is meeting inspiring and passionate people around the world with a common goal to make and sell distinctive wines with great stories. Many are multi-generational family owners.
For Steve Sr. and Dennis Kreps, it meant focusing on small, family-owned wineries to establish Quintessential Wines in 2003. Based in Napa, this family owned and operated import, marketing and sales company represents independent multi-generational winemaking families around the world. That’s currently 30 families and 41 wineries in 11 countries.
Some of the family-owned brands in the Quintessential portfolio include: Simonsig (South Africa), Ironstone Vineyards (Lodi, CA), Bodegas Muriel (Rioja), Forrest Wines (New Zealand), Champagne Palmer and Gustave Lorentz (France), and Bosio Family Estates (Italy), among others.
Dennis and Steve Kreps Sr.
Steve Kreps Sr. started in the wine business in 1973 as a sales representative and merchandiser, expanding his role and network and eventually moving into brokerage and importing. He formed an import and marketing company which he sold in 2003 when he partnered with his son, Dennis, to establish Quintessential.
Like his father, Dennis Kreps cut his teeth in sales and merchandising for many years and worked for an established distribution company covering the Midwest and Western U.S.A. His brother, Steve, worked as a commercial pilot for US Airways before joining Quintessential in 2005. He currently oversees the California sales division.
Quintessential Wines Team- Celebrating 20 Years
In 2003, Quintessential celebrates 20 years, a milestone that leaves the Kreps family happy yet humble. The wine industry is constantly changing and more frequently challenged by the forces of economics, climate change and evolving consumer consumption preferences. They know to stay in the game you have to be on top of it through research and strategic marketing and sales. “Quintessential” means “the best of its kind.” And that’s what the Kreps family aims for every day with every brand they work with. www.quintessentialwines.com
Steve Sr, and Dennis Kreps joined us on The Connected Table to share their story and thoughts on trends and developments in the wine industry. Listen to the podcast by clicking link below or cut and paste here.
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