'Excellent' winery to make impression on Chinese

A Horowhenua winery whose name means "everything is excellent" in Mandarin has made an impression on overseas buyers – and is set to make a big splash in China.

Ohau Vineyards has established a 93-square metre wine store in the Pacific Wharf wine centre in Guangzhou. An additional two stores are to be set up in Shenzhen and Wuhan.

"China has established itself as a core market, with sales projections for 2011 being 10,000 cases," Ohau Vineyards director Barry Clevely said.

In the past year, the company has also established markets in Australia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore and Hungary.

"We are hoping that by the end of the year, Indonesia, the Philippines and Japan will be added to the list."

Ohau Vineyards has bought 64hectares south of Levin to meet the increasing demand for its wine, which will be planted in grapes in the next three years.

"It's created a new industry in the area," Mr Clevely said. "The community has taken ownership of it."

More than 30 people are employed during the April picking period and, with the vineyard's growth, it is expected that the number of staff needed will double when the crops are ready.

The winery could also boost tourism in the area, as it has received calls from people interested in a tour.

"Although exports are very important to us, we are so pleased to have such great support locally," Mr Clevely said.

Seventy per cent of the company's wine is exported and the quality was due to the location, Mr Clevely said: "The soil is better than in Martinborough, there are less frosts, and low rainfall in the ripening period."

Currently, Ohau produces 14,000 cases of wine, but it is expected that 36,000 cases will be produced next year.