About us

Mission Statement:

Rudi Wiest Selections is a leading importer of fine German wines in the United States market. Since 1978 our sole focus has been rebuilding the image of legendary Germany wine estates through education of consumers and persons in the wine trade alike. We are committed to giving the best service and information regarding the selection of fine German wine. Visiting Germany two to three times a year, we personally maintain relationships with every estate and exhaustively involve ourselves with the selection process. Our commitment assures only the finest wines earn the Rudi Wiest Selections quality seal.

Rudi Wiest Selections is imported by Cellars International, Inc.

Rudi Wiest Selections
Quality Seal

How did this all get started?

Well it sure doesn't seem like 30+ years, but back in 1965 Rudi Wiest was working as a phone company engineer, and he started collecting fine wine.

Rudi first discovered German fine wine with the 1971 vintage, and in 1975 got hooked on German wine forever while drinking a 1959 Karthäuserhof Riesling Spätlese from the Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg vineyard with foie gras.

Soon his fine wine hobby was turning into a small side business. In 1975 he began representing several boutique importers from San Francisco in the Southern California markets.

Rudi Wiest
rudi@germanwine.net

In 1978 Rudi started Cellars International, Inc. and his "hobby" had become a full fledged business. The original business objective was to work with French Burgundies and other select wines from the Cotes du Rhone.  However, after some time Rudi saw more potential in the German fine wine market and the French wines were phased out.  By the early 1980’s the portfolio had shifted exclusively to German wine.

The German program was expanded to include wines from all the major growing areas of Germany. With the help of his wife Erna, Rudi began to build a distributor network. He knew the only way to once again establish these great estates was through education and with distributors who recognized the opportunity with these great wines.  In the early 80's Rudi began traveling the US promoting the wines.  Erna ran the office, and his son Brent helped out in the office and with the unloading of containers. 

In the September 2005 issue of Alles Uber Wein there was an article about Rudi Wiest Selections.  Two quotes about Rudi Wiest from the article “Mr. German Wine” (translated from German):

“Rudi Wiest is one of the one of the most important, and some say the most important importer of German wine in the United States.” 

“Rudi Wiest - A pioneer, visionary and tireless crusader for German wine.”

The Underground Wine Journal offered the first press on Rudi Wiest Selections in late 1984. Since then Rudi Wiest Selections has garnered more outstanding scores than any other US importer.  From the 2005 Gault Millau German Wine guide, RWS represents all three award winning estates:

1) 2005 Wine Maker of the Year (Karthäuserhof)
2) 2005 Collection of the Year (Robert Weil)
3) 2005 New Comer of the Year (Schäfer-Fröhlich)

Just one estate alone, Weingut Gunderloch, represented by Rudi Wiest, has received three (3) perfect 100 Point Scores in the Wine Spectator.  A stunning accomplishment.  In addition, Rudi Wiest's estates have garnered hundreds of 90-99 point ratings between the  01, 02, 03 and 04 vintages.  The reviews are from some of the most respected wine publications in the American market and include the Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate / Robert Parker, and the Fine Wine Review.  Excellent scores in magazines certainly help, but they are not enough to succeed in the German fine wine market.

Today the company forges forward with an unwavering standard of excellence for every wine imported and a team of wine industry professionals.  Rudi is the company's figurehead and remains active with tastings and wine dinners across the country.   His son Brent is CEO of the company and Brent's wife Ann is the company's CFO.

Rudi Wiest - Founder
Toll Free (USA) - 800.596.9463 x201
International - 001.760.566.0499 x201
rudi@germanwine.net

Brent Wiest - CEO
Toll Free (USA) - 800.596.9463 x205
International - 001.760.566.0499 x205
brent@germanwine.net

Ann Wiest - CFO
Toll Free (USA) - 800.596.9463 x207
International - 001.760.566.0499 x207
ann@germanwine.net

Helping Rudi Wiest Selections succeed on the national level are a fantastic team of employees who fight for top German wines and are actively involved in all aspects of the business from sales management to compliance and a multitude of operational tasks:

Jeff Marazoni  - Operations Manger
Toll Free (USA) - 800.596.9463 x204
International - 001.760.566.0499 x204
jeff@germanwine.net

Kim Mata  - Office Manager / Distribution Coordination
Toll Free (USA) - 800.596.9463 x203
International - 001.760.566.0499 x203
kim@germanwine.net

Thomas Haehn - National Sales Director / South East Regional Manager
Phone - 760.420.4199
Fax - 612.435.4199
thomas@germanwine.net

Christine Warner - North East Regional Sales Manager
Phone - 760.420.0563
Fax - 505.212.1634
christine@germanwine.net

Christoph Rimmele  - Western States Regional Sales Manager
Phone - 760.420.0591
Fax 805.980.3399
christoph@germanwine.net

Robert Bowditch  - Mid West Regional Sales Manager
Phone - 760.419.6894
Fax 740-422-1700
bob@germanwine.net

Debbie Wickham - California Sales Coordinator
Toll Free (USA) - 800.596.9463 x202
International - 001.760.566.0499 x202
debbie@germanwine.net

Allie Mitchell - Southern California Sales Manager
Phone - 760.402.3545
Fax - 801.421.3545
allie@germanwine.net

Debra Peterson - Northern California Sales Manager
Phone - 707.338.8865
Fax
debra@germanwine.net

Arlene Cafarelli  - Controller
Toll Free (USA) - 800.596.9463 x210
International - 001.760.566.0499 x210
arlene@germanwine.net