Charles Smith launches REAL WINE COLLECTIVE with Evergreen Family Wines

Charles Smith announced REAL WINE COLLECTIVE on June 30, 2026, a new collaboration with Evergreen Family Wines and leaders Jerry Milbrandt and Brandon Rice. The venture will unify House of Smith brands under one production and distribution umbrella and expand sales of K Vintners in the U.S.

Why it matters: - REAL WINE COLLECTIVE gives Charles Smith’s House of Smith brands a more integrated path from vineyard to bottle to market. - The partnership could expand distribution for REAL Wine, Blossom Fury, SEX Rosé and K Vintners in the U.S. and abroad. - Smith and Evergreen Family Wines are betting that Ancient Lakes can become a bigger commercial region for white and pink wines.

What happened: - Charles Smith announced REAL WINE COLLECTIVE on June 30, 2026, in Seattle. - The collaboration is with Evergreen Family Wines and its leaders, Jerry Milbrandt and Brandon Rice. - REAL WINE COLLECTIVE becomes the umbrella for House of Smith brands including REAL Wine, Blossom Fury and SEX Rosé. - The venture also handles sales and distribution of K Vintners in the United States. - Smith will remain the creative lead and winemaker for House of Smith brands as they expand in the U.S. and internationally.

The details: - REAL WINE COLLECTIVE combines Smith’s marketing, sales and winemaking with Evergreen Family Wines’ vineyards and wineries. - The partnership formalizes a 20-plus-year working relationship between Smith and Milbrandt. - Smith said the deal will help deliver wines to more consumers while he focuses on innovation, traditional winemaking and communicating wine. - Milbrandt said the partnership amplifies his long-standing view that Ancient Lakes produces some of the best aromatic white wines in the U.S. - Brandon Rice, CEO of Evergreen Family Wines, said consumers want purity, transparency and wines with a clear point of view. - REAL Wine Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, Blossom Fury Riesling and SEX Rosé will continue to be produced with sustainably farmed grapes, full transparency and 100% native fermentation. - Blossom Fury Riesling is sourced from Milbrandt’s Evergreen Vineyard in Ancient Lakes and is described as a dry, fresh sequel to KungFu Girl. - REAL Wine uses grapes and minimal sulfites, with ingredients clearly listed on the label. - SEX Rosé is a 100% Pinot Noir rosé. - The brand also asked followers to track updates on Instagram and Facebook at realwinecollective.

Between the lines: - The deal deepens the operational link between brand building and vineyard control, which can help premium wine labels scale without losing a distinct identity. - Ancient Lakes appears to be the geographic centerpiece of the strategy, especially for aromatic whites and rosés. - The partnership also suggests Smith is leaning on outside infrastructure so he can stay focused on the creative side of the portfolio.

What’s next: - REAL WINE COLLECTIVE will focus on production, sales, distribution and growth for the House of Smith portfolio. - House of Smith brands are expected to keep expanding in the U.S. and internationally. - The Pasqua family of Verona, Italy remains the global international distributor for House of Smith brands, including K Vintners, SEX Rosé, Blossom Fury and REAL WINE. - That 2025 partnership has already led to Pasqua + Smith Pinot Noir, a multivintage wine.

The bottom line: - Charles Smith is formalizing a long-running relationship with Evergreen Family Wines into a broader commercial platform built to scale House of Smith’s most recognizable wines.