If you’ve ever enjoyed a glass of wine at your favorite Jersey Shore haunt or a craft cocktail in downtown Newark, there’s a good chance the Opici family helped get it there. Now, the Garden State’s fourth-generation wine and spirits giants are making sure that getting those bottles from the warehouse to the bar is as smooth as a well-aged Merlot.
Opici Family Distributing, headquartered in Glen Rock, announced Tuesday that it is extending its partnership with Provi, the leading B2B e-commerce marketplace for the alcohol industry. It’s part of a “digital omnichannel strategy”—which is a fancy way of saying they’re making it incredibly easy for local liquor stores and restaurants to stock their shelves with a few clicks.
The Opici story is the ultimate Jersey “comeback kid” tale. Founded in 1934 by Joseph and Esther Opici—just as Prohibition was finally taking its last breath—the company famously got its start when Joseph convinced a California supplier to ship him a single railroad car of wine for $1,500.
Ninety-two years later, that $1,500 gamble has evolved into a “Top 10 U.S. Wine Distributor” powerhouse. While the business has grown to cover five states and D.C., the heart of the operation remains firmly planted in Bergen County.
So, what does a “digital partnership” mean for the average New Jerseyan?
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Efficiency for local shops: Your local liquor store owner can now browse Opici’s massive portfolio, check inventory, and message their sales reps all in one place.
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More face time, less paperwork: By automating the boring administrative stuff, Opici’s sales reps can spend more time doing what they do best: educating bartenders on new spirits and helping small businesses grow.
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A “Family First” approach: Despite the high-tech upgrade, President Dina Opici insists the personal touch isn’t going anywhere. “Our company was built on the concept of family and relationships,” she noted, emphasizing that the tech is there to strengthen those connections, not replace them.
With Dina Opici recently making history as the first chairwoman of the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA), the Glen Rock firm is proving that you can honor 90 years of tradition while still being the most forward-thinking player in the room.
Whether you’re a retail partner in Jersey City or a restaurant owner in Cape May, the message is clear: the Opici family is open for business, and the digital lights are on.
