Heidelberg Distributing scores a national ‘Top 10’ shout-out

Dayton-based Heidelberg Distributing Company — which has a whole lot to do with your ability to buy some of your favorite beverages at your local pub, supermarket and convenience store — has scored a national shout-out in the form of a "Top 10 in the U.S." ranking from a respected industry publication.

Wines & Vines Magazine listed the top 10 wine distributors in the country in its September edition, and Heidelberg made the list at number 6. The list includes some distributors that dwarf Heidelberg in size.

RELATED: Peek inside Heidelberg Distributing

Here’s what the magazine said about Heidelberg, which operates a large distribution center and headquarters in the former Cooper Tire building along I-75 in Moraine:

“Heidelberg Distributing serves only two states—Ohio and Kentucky—but ranks No. 6 among the “Top 10” list of wine distributors in the United States, according to Wines Vines Analytics. Two divisions are based in Cincinnati and one is in Dayton, Ohio, which includes the company headquarters. Other locations include Cleveland, Columbus, Lorain, Toledo and Youngstown (all in Ohio), plus a Kentucky office and warehouse in Hebron, Ky. Heidelberg distributes the products of 177 domestic wineries, many of them being among the highest volume brands from the biggest companies.”

ALSO NEW TODAY: New restaurant opens at the Mall at Fairfield Commons

“The family-owned company started with a German-born brewer Albert W. Vontz, who arrived in Cincinnati in 1907. After Prohibition he drove a truck for the Heidelberg Brewery in nearby Covington, Ky. He kept the Heidelberg name when the brewery went out of business and began distributing beer and wine.”

RELATED: Local distillery signs agreement to expand its footprint statewide

In a Facebook post about the award, Heidelberg officials said, “We are truly honored to be in such great company! We could not do what we do without the best supplier and retail partners around and wine lovers throughout Ohio and Kentucky! Thank you all!”

ICYMI: 4 brand new restaurants that opened in Dayton last month

Heidelberg traces its roots to 1938. The company distributes a wide variety of wine and spirits to restaurants, bars, grocery stores and other retailers throughout Ohio and northern Kentucky, and also delivers Anheuser-Busch InBev products, including Budweiser beers, in Dayton and Cincinnati.

ICYMI: New ‘Duck Donuts’ shop near UD is hiring, gearing up to open

Heidelberg spent $20 million to renovate the former Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. warehouse on Dryden Road along Interstate 75 in Moraine before moving its Dayton-area operations into that facility in 2013. In all, Heidelberg employs more than 1,600 and serves more than 26,000 retail accounts.

About the Author