Terlato Wines International, a leading marketer of luxury wines in the United States, has created a new luxury spirits division as a result of its recent partnership with Xcellent Swiss Vodka.

The new division at Terlato is called Paterno Imports, the original name of the company founded by Anthony Paterno who launched the family's premium wine and distribution businesses more than 60 years ago in Chicago. He was the grandfather of the company's current CEO, William Terlato.
 
"Our goal for this new spirits division is consistent with our wine strategy. We've become an industry leader by carefully selecting distinctive products of the highest quality from family-owned companies," says Terlato. "A luxury spirits division is a natural next step in the evolution of our growing company. We have the marketing and sales expertise in place and XELLENT Swiss Vodka is the ideal brand to anchor the launch of this new division, with its distinguished quality and breakthrough packaging."

The vodka, which received a double gold medal at the San Francisco Spirits Competition and a "classic" rating from Wine Enthusiast Magazine (the highest possible rating), launched in the US in February 2008. Its rye is grown in the foothills of Central Switzerland and Swiss glacier water is used to dilute the product. It is triple distilled and comes in a signature red glass bottle.

It is produced by the DIWISA distillery, which is located north of Switzerland's Lake Lucerne and has been under family operation since 1918.

"We are thrilled to partner with the Terlato family and Paterno Imports to market and expand our XELLENT Swiss Vodka brand in the United States," says DIWISA president Andreas Affentranger. "Of equal importance to us is that like the Terlatos, we are also a family-owned and managed company, with a longstanding commitment to quality."

Paterno Imports also will carry spirits such as Nonino Grappa from Italy, and also will carry Tiramisu, a new Italian vodka with flavors of coffee, vanilla and chocolate.