C J Pask Winery Japan deal counters wine export trends.
Demand from sophisticated and discerning Japanese consumers has led to the first shipment this month of C J Pask wines
to luxury retailer Seijo-Ishii. Premium Hawke's Bay red wines were top of the list for the gourmet-style supermarket
during their initial buying visit to New Zealand in August.
The red wine element of the contract is well over 50% compared with the current 9% red wine makes of total New Zealand
exports. This highlights the growing reputation of premium red wines from the Hawke's Bay and especially the Gimblett
Gravels district. The lucrative deal with the high-end Japanese retail group is a significant step in the continuing
development of international markets by C J Pask Winery.
Kate Radburnd, Managing Director and winemaker, is delighted with the new partnership, "The Japanese market is a very
attractive one, with wealthy urban consumers eager to try new wines. Their preference for red wine is a perfect fit for
C J Pask winery, given our Hawke's Bay pedigree and long history of awards success."
Positioned as an upmarket retailer of premium imported food and beverage brand to the stylish and brand conscious
consumer in the Tokyo area, Seijo-Ishii recognised a growing demand for fine wines from New Zealand. With the Japanese
economy on the rebound and wine consumption growing, the time was right to introduce the C J Pask range.