Young’s Market Company president dies
Vern Underwood, president of California wine and spirits distributor Young’s Market Company, has died aged 85.
Underwood died on Sunday 2 November at his home in Newport Beach, California.
As president of Young’s Market Company for more than 30 years, Underwood transformed the company from a local southern California business into a preeminent wine and spirits distributor, known for introducing major brands such as Jose Cuervo Tequila to the US market.
Underwood graduated from the University of Southern California in 1962, and soon after joined Young’s Market Company, his family’s business.
Starting in the warehouse and then moving to sales, Underwood worked his way up the organisation to become president in 1975.
In 1985 he devised and implemented a plan that resulted in Young’s becoming the first statewide distributor of wine and spirits in California, and in 1990, after the death of his father, Vernon Underwood Senior, he was elected CEO and chairman of the board.
During his tenure, the company invested in a number of spirits brands, including Seagram’s Vodka, Zaya Rum and Templeton Rye Whiskey.
In August 2019, Young’s Market Company entered into a joint venture partnership with Republic National Distributing Company (RNDC), and the firm assumed management of the day-to-day operations. RNDC then acquired the remaining 50% of Young’s Market Company in November 2022, becoming the sole owner.
Now a subsidiary of RNDC, Young’s Market Company is a wholesale distributor of wine, spirits, meats, and specialty food products. It operates in 10 western states, including Oregon and Washington, and boasts more than 3,000 employees.
Underwood is said to have been passionate about the wine and spirits business, and ‘cared greatly’ for his employees and their families.
He was revered internationally by other industry leaders for his vision, critical decision making, and integrity, and was recognised with a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) in 2012 and the Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement award from Ernst & Young (EY) in 2015.
Underwood is survived by his wife Carol, sons Jeffrey and Christopher, Young’s Market Company CEO, and five grandchildren.
A small, private service to honour Underwood is being planned by his family, and in lieu of flowers, people are asked to consider a donation to The Padre Foundation.
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