ABOUT
The Epicurean Story
Epicureanism defined: “A love or knowledgeable enjoyment, especially of good food and drink.” When it comes to fine wine, Epicurean Wines is the embodiment of that ideal for Australian wine lovers throughout the U.S.
Australia is the home to a diverse wine industry that ranges from coast to coast. Australian vintages are recognized worldwide as beautifully textured wines of restrained power – wines with finesse, complexity, and depth that highlight Australia’s exceptional natural resources.
From Vineyard to You
Epicurean Wines, based in Seattle, is North America’s oldest 100% Australian wine importer and distributor with a growing portfolio of 75 labels. The company currently partners with a network of distributors in 48 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Deep Roots
Epicurean Wines was founded in 2000 by Benjamin Hammerschlag who devoted nearly 20 years tracking down only the finest Australian wines and introducing them to America. The business was in his blood, dating back to his great-great grandfather. Benjamin meticulously sought out the best examples of Australian winemaking, creating a unique portfolio that summarizes the best expression of the art and craft. Click here to read more about Ben and his vision for Epicurean Wines.
New Growth
Today, Cindy Oswalt leads the company, joining a growing number of pioneering women who are changing the face of the wine industry in all its facets from winemaking to marketing. Cindy, with years of business management and accounting experience, joined Epicurean at its inception, most recently as Operations Manager.
As President, Cindy vows to honor the legacy of Benjamin Hammerschlag and continue Epicurean’s forward-thinking tradition of finding and importing the best Australia has to offer. Along with seeking new and innovative winemakers, Epicurean will continue to build on its strong relationships with established labels that American wine drinkers know and love.
Nurturing the Network
Brian Klassen, National Sales Director, gained his knowledge of Australian wines while managing a winery in the Hunter Valley. Since then, he has spent more than two decades representing Australian portfolios nationally. He also has extensive experience as Sommelier and General Manager at fine restaurants in Canada, Australia, the Bahamas and the United States.
Brian is passionate about developing new markets for Australian wines while introducing new brands to his existing clientele. He is proud to partner with a network of 50 distributors who share his passion for Australian wine.
A Word About Australian Wines
Australia has 65 wine regions with varying geography, topography, soils, and climate. The oldest soils on the planet are on the Australian continent. Those soils support more than 100 different varieties of grapes, two of which – chardonnay and shiraz – are grown in all 65 regions. There is no doubt that Australian wine has caught on. It is estimated that 30 million glasses of Aussie wine are consumed every day around the world.