Avante Beverages has created a sales and marketing team of wine professionals to bring premium wine to the Texas fine wine trade.
Operating as an alternative to the mega wine distributors, Avante Beverages focuses on a carefully selected group of fine wines. Using this focused approach, Avante Beverages has established reliable partnerships with retail purveyors and restaurateurs. Established in key Texas markets, Avante Beverages continues to expand its portfolio and service in its never-ending drive to be the best in its class.
Our overriding objective will always be to blend innovation with superior wine knowledge in order to bring premium products to a market that currently get lost in huge distributor portfolios.
Operating as an alternative to the mega wine distributors, Avante Beverages focuses on a carefully selected group of fine wines. Using this focused approach, Avante Beverages has established reliable partnerships with retail purveyors and restaurateurs. Established in key Texas markets, Avante Beverages continues to expand its portfolio and service in its never-ending drive to be the best in its class.
Our overriding objective will always be to blend innovation with superior wine knowledge in order to bring premium products to a market that currently get lost in huge distributor portfolios.
John Gillis– President
The Gillis Family has been in the alcoholic beverage industry for 24 years. John Gillis has been President of GLI Distributing since 1991. GLI has now grown its import/ specialty volume to 65% share of the category. Recognizing the growth in wine sales John made the decision to establish Avante Beverages.
S. Rucker Lewis– General Manager
Mr. Lewis is a multifaceted individual with 15+ years experience in the DFW beverage industry and is exactly what a start-up company such as Avante Beverages needs. His supplier/distributor history is important to the growth of relationships that are crucial in this market.
Braxton Cooper– Operations Manager
With a history in the DFW market for 11+ years, Mr. Cooper knows the customer/vendor relationship is important. His expertise in teamwork and communication affects all aspects of the distributor level contacts. This makes him an integral part of Avante Beverages’ future business.
Eric Baum, CSW– Key Account Manager
As an influential part of the DFW market for 20+ years, Mr. Baum has grown to know the wine professionals/ vendors in the market, as well as gained the respect of the retailers/ restaurateurs. His knowledge will help Avante serve the market most efficiently.
Paul Bochniak– Key Account Manager
With 14+ years experience in both the DFW and Chicago markets, Mr. Bochniak lends his experience towards top echelon accounts that specialize in quality wines. He will promote the development of fine wines throughout the metroplex and continue the development of the on-premise department of Avante Beverages.
Kassi Cornwall– Key Account Manager
Before compiling seven years' experience in the wine industry, Ms. Cornwall became interested in the wine business by attending many Dallas wine events and visiting numerous wineries in California. She worked at the Domaine Carneros winery during one of her summers off from teaching school. As her passion and interest in the wine business escalated, she began to work part time in the Dallas wine scene by providing an educational wine pouring service at many of Dallas / Fort Worth’s finest retail outlets. A career detour was inevitable as Ms. Cornwall took a position with a Dallas based distributor until joining our opening team in 2006. Her fervor and style in this business serve as a strong foundation for this Avante Beverages team.