MIAMI, Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Mel Dick, President, Wine Division and Senior Vice President of Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. (Southern) and has been elevated to the rank of Commandeur in the Order of Agricultural Merit. Mel Dick joined Southern in 1969 and is an early founder and leader of the company. On December 17, 2015, Philippe Létrilliart, the Consul General of France in Miami, officially presented Mel with the recognition and medal for the Order of Agricultural Merit—an honor bestowed by the French Republic for outstanding contribution to agriculture.

Philippe Létrilliart, Consul General of France in Miami, said, "A great ambassador of the French Art de vivre, Mel Dick has dedicated his life to sharing the enjoyment of wine and fine products. For his constant efforts to promote French wine and the French culture through Southern Wines and Spirits' development, and for his unfailing friendship with my country, I was glad to award him with the collar of Commandeur de l'Ordre National du Mérite Agricole, as a new token of France's gratitude and appreciation."

Regulated by the France's Ministry of Agriculture, this prestigious order consists of three levels—Chevalier (Knight) in which Mel Dick received in 1984, Officier (Officer) and Commandeur (Commander). As a recipient of the Mérite Agricole, Mel received a certificate commemorating the honor as well as a medal during an official decoration ceremony at the Consul General's office in Miami.

Mel is the recipient of numerous awards from the wine and spirits industry throughout the world. In 2000, he received the prestigious Legion of Honor, France's highest honor, in Paris for his outstanding contribution to the French wine and champagne, spirits and water industry and was elevated to Officier de la Legion D'Honneur in October 2010.

About Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.
Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. is the nation's largest wine and spirits distributor and broker with operations in 35 markets. The multi-state distributor currently operates in: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia and Wyoming. Southern also holds operating licenses and permits in Nebraska and Texas. On a national basis, Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc. employs more than 14,000 team members. Southern urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve and enjoy its products responsibly.

For more information about Southern and its responsible consumption program, see: http://www.southernwine.com.

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SOURCE Southern Wine & Spirits of America, Inc.