Villa Maria signs large export deal in the US

Villa Maria signs its largest export deal in the US

One of the country’s major privately owned wineries, Villa Maria, has formed an exclusive export partnership in the United States with premium wine company Ste. Michelle Wine Estates.

The six-year alliance, effective today, will cement Villa Maria’s position as the leading New Zealand premium wine brand sold in the US, with New Zealand wine being the second fastest growing wine import category in the US at 23 per cent.

Villa Maria founder and managing director Sir George Fistonich says Villa Maria has been exporting to the US for 13 years. The US market represents the company’s largest opportunity for growth in the medium term.

A strong partnership is important given the challenges to export and branding presented by the size of the US market.

“Villa Maria was one of the first significant New Zealand players in the US wine market and has built a strong and well-recognised premium brand. We are delighted to partner with Ste. Michelle Wine Estates to enable further market growth in the super and ultra premium categories and to cement our position as the leading New Zealand wine brand sold in the US.”

Washington-based Ste. Michelle Wine Estates is one of the fastest growing premium wine companies in the US. The company owns more than 3,500 acres of vineyards and winery holdings in Washington State, Oregon’s Willamette Valley and Napa Valley, California.

Villa Maria will be the only New Zealand wine brand in the Ste. Michelle portfolio, ‘String of Pearls’, alongside brands such as Antinori, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte and Palmes d’Or.

The partnership includes the management of domestic sales, PR and marketing of Villa Maria brands throughout the US and will see both companies explore global synergies, which could include viticulture and winemaking exchanges.

In selecting Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, Sir George Fistonich says Villa Maria was looking for a company with an impeccable reputation, a successful track record in developing fine wine businesses and trade relationships and the ability to deliver top wine brands to a wide consumer audience in the US.

“Quality drives our decision making, so it was critical for us to affiliate with a company that has demonstrated a focus on quality in all areas of its business,” he says.

Recently named ‘Man of the Year’ by prominent wine magazine Wine Enthusiast, Ste. Michelle president/CEO Ted Baseler says Villa Maria’s acclaimed wine portfolio was well-positioned to capitalise on the increasing consumer demand in the US and enjoy solid growth in the future.

“Consumers respond to brand authenticity, and Sir George’s leadership in New Zealand and his ongoing commitment to innovation and quality initiatives are accomplishments that no other New Zealand winery can match,” says Baseler.

Villa Maria produces its wines at two state-of-the-art winery facilities located in Auckland and Marlborough. Villa Maria is an internationally-renowned Sauvignon Blanc producer and is becoming increasingly recognised for world class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Riesling and Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon, among other varietals.

About Villa Maria Villa Maria has been New Zealand’s most awarded winery for 30 years. Founded by George Fistonich in 1961 and still New Zealand and privately owned today, Villa Maria has been recognized internationally as one of the great wine companies of the world. Sourced from expertly managed wineries in the best growing regions of New Zealand, the Villa Maria Estate range is enjoyed in over 50 countries world wide.

ENDS

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