William J. Deutsch

William J. Deutsch is the Chairman of Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits. In the 36 years since the company’s inception it has grown into the number one imported wine company in the U.S., selling well over 10 million cases of wine per year. In 2009, W.J. Deutsch launched a spirit division, employing a team dedicated to building the company’s spirit brands into industry leaders. In May of 2012, the company changed its name to Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits and the business continues to be a family run business, with Bill’s son Peter Deutsch serving as CEO.

Deutsch’s position as the fifth largest wine company in the U.S., as well as being renowned for its brand building prowess and ability to identify and fill consumer niches within the wine category, has led to the company being one of the most well respected importers in the industry. Under Deutsch’s direction the company has built numerous category leaders including: the #1 imported brand in the U.S., the #1 Australian brand in the U.S., and most recently Josh Cellars the #1 domestic brand above $12.00. Along the way, Bill Deutsch has won numerous industry accolades including Market Watch’s Industry Executive of the Year, Brandweek’s Marketer of the Year, Wine Enthusiast’s Importer of the Year, and Wine Spectator’s Distinguished Service Award. He is on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Beverage Importers Member Wine Committee, a Médaille D’Honneur Comite National Des Vins De France, a Medal of Honor from the Mayor of Bordeaux, M. Alain Juppe;, and three Ordre National du Mérite Agricole honors. The Ordre National du Mérite Agricole is an order of merit established in France in 1883 to reward service to French agriculture. Bill was named Chevalier in 1986 by the French Government, promoted to Officier in 1992, and on November 3, 2011 Bill was promoted to the highest level of honor, Commandeur of the Ordre National du Mérite Agricole. On May 21, 2012 Bill received France’s prestigious Ordre National de la Légion d’Honneur, the highest French decoration for military or civilian service. The Légion d’Honneur is awarded only for gallantry in action or for twenty years of distinguished service in peacetime.

Today, The Deutsch family is proud to acknowledge the enduring relationships with their suppliers, some of whom have been part of the family since the business began, including wine from Australia: [yellow tail], , [yellow tail] Bubbles, and Peter Lehmann; California: proprietary brands Josh Cellars, Joseph Carr, The Calling, and Eppa SupraFruta Sangria; Girard Winery, Kunde Family Estate; Washington: Skyfall; France: André Lurton, Hob Nob Vineyards, Sauvion et Fils, Italy: Barone Fini, Enza, Villa Pozzi; New Zealand: The Crossings; Portugal: Quinta Do Vale Meao; Spain: Mar De Frades, Cruz de Alba, and Ramón Bilbao Vinos Y Vinedos; Argentina: Ruta 22, and award-winning spirits including proprietary brand Redemption Rye and Bourbon; LICOR 43 (Spain), Luksusowa Vodka (Poland), and Villa Massa (Italy).

Bill Deutsch currently resides in Riverside, CT with his wife Fran. They have three children and seven grandchildren. Bill serves on the Board of the Bruce Museum.