WINE FAMILIES JOIN IN UNIQUE COLLABORATION 42 JDURNIEN 2K0t1e7ch NEW ZEALAND JUNE 2017 The new company has been established after the sale of Fine Wine Partners to Accolade earlier this year, with the three family-owned wineries bringing together a combined 393 years of winemaking experience and commitment to sustainability and quality. The producer-and-customer-focused model will offer the Australian market premium wines from three of the world’s most accomplished and admired wine brands. The three wineries share multi-generational, family owned values and a long-term vision for the future, contributing complementary strengths for a rich portfolio of fine wines. Villa Maria, New Zealand’s most awarded winery, was established by Sir George Fistonich in 1961 and is still family-owned. The distribution model is unique in that it will allow the three wineries to build their brands through a tightly configured portfolio that places quality at the core of the business. In addition, they’ll dedicate a large percentage of their efforts to the fine wine retail and on-premise side of the business, general manager David Bird says. “This new distribution business is truly unique in bringing together three of the finest family producers from across the world. We’ll provide a tightly focused premium portfolio and highly engaged sales and support team who have a deep understanding of each family winery and their remarkable wines,” Bird says. New Zealand’s Villa Maria has joined with Australian counterparts Société Jacques Bollinger (SJB) and Henschke to create House of Fine Wine, an Australian distribution company that will offer nationwide supply of premium wines from a single focused portfolio. The new company was officially launched on June 1, and will build upon the existing infrastructure developed by Villa Maria with a dedicated sales and marketing team, customer services, supply chain and operational support. President of SJB Etienne Bizot - sixth generation of the family and great-nephew of Lily Bollinger – says his company has been represented in Australia for more than a century. “Our houses Champagne Bollinger, Champagne Ayala and Cognac Delamain are delighted to continue their close working relationship of a quarter of a century with the Henschke family and more recently Villa Maria’s Fistonich family in the House of Fine Wine.” New Zealand wine and spirit makers will soon be able to register their geographical indications, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs Jacqui Dean has announced. “Legislation to enable the wine industry to formally register their geographical indications in New Zealand is on track to come into force in late July,” she says. “A geographical indication shows that a wine or spirit comes from a specific region, and possesses particular qualities or characteristics as a result. Registering regional names for our wine and spirits will reinforce the qualities and reputation of these products. It will also make it easier for exporters to promote and protect their wine and spirits in some overseas markets.” Dean says the New Zealand wine industry has built the international reputation of New Zealand wines so that they command a premium price in foreign markets. “A key contributor to the reputation of New Zealand wine is the industry’s use WINE MAPPING
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