NZ wine firm enters China market

Wine - Source: ONE News

A boutique Marlborough winery will soon be selling its wines into China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Marisco Vineyards, which makes The Ned and The King's Series, has signed a national distribution deal with Dynasty International Wine Company (Dynasty) in China.

Marisco's chief winemaker Brent Marris told TVNZ today that the deal is a foothold into the huge Asian markets with their growing appetite for wine.

"Dynasty is one of the premium wine-producers in China and for us its really significant because they are a national distributor.

"In time, the deal will be worth many millions for both companies," he said.

Marris says Dynasty is hand-picking the top international labels it wants to work with and it held its first discussions in August last year, following a trip to the region.

"We've been working hard at our relationships in China for the past year, and it is pleasing to see this hard work pay off," Marris told AMP Business.

The winemaker says it is ironic he has signed this deal just when there was discussion in New Zealand about the inability of individual companies to gain a foothold in China.

He believes it is very difficult to go it alone in Asia, especially when breaking in with a new product.

"The volume opportunities are massive and we don't want to lose out on the quality side and we don't want to be pulling up too short.

"So by taking a collaborative approach, it means you have a greater opportunity to hit the market well," he said.

The first shipment of Marisco Vineyards wine sold in China will be from the 2011 vintage.