Seghesio wines made export success in China

Healdsburg's Seghesio Family Vineyards took a different route when it entered the China market in 2008 by participating in a trade mission with the Wine Institute, which has led 11 such tours in the past decade. In June, a touring group represented 68 wineries and 95 wine brands, visiting Shanghai, Chengdu, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

Seghesio's export success was attractive to Crimson Wine Group, which purchased the winery in June, said Erle Martin, CEO.

"As a small independent family winery, to get a leg up on the exports like that was a really good decision, and one that we saw as a great opportunity for the balance of our portfolio," Martin said. "Zinfandel is uniquely American and uniquely Californian, so we see a great opportunity to expand the Seghesio brand in particular."