Otago wine heading for Italy

Source: Thinkstock

A northern Otago wine maker has cracked the Italian export market.

Dr Antonio Pasquale returned home yesterday, celebrating the curious achievement of being an Italian selling to Italy wine he made in New Zealand, from Pinot Gris grapes which originated as Pinot Griggio in Italy.

Pasquale said he was the only New Zealander at the huge VinItaly Fair and went there without any expectations.

He said people love the the wine and when restaurants became interested he managed to find an importer, a feat which he describes as"a miracle".

Pasquale said he will be airfreighting three pallets of wine to Italy next Tuesday and a container load by the first week of June.