Hunter’s wine into Spain & Holland

September 15, 2008

Hunter’s wine into Spain & Holland: increasing exports to 22 countries

One of New Zealand’s most established wineries, Hunter’s, today announced it has launched exports into Spain and Holland – lifting the number of its exporting countries to 22.

Hunter’s, which first started producing wine 25 years ago, also exports to the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Switzerland, Australia, Hong Kong, Brazil, USA, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Barbados, Germany, Malta, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam, India, Japan and Sweden.

Nationwide exports grew last year by 14 percent to $800 million sales, with $1 billion in wine exports expected b y 2010.

Managing director Jane Hunter said the latest Spanish and Dutch markets to add to their stable was exciting and vital to the future of their label.

``Spain especially is totally new and we are with a small company again working with restaurants and fine dining. The approach for Holland came through us being at a major European wine show.

But the Spain offer was out of the blue and we will be joining a portfolio of high quality wines from the major wine producing countries in the world. We are hoping to establish distribution in Norway and Germany in the coming few months,’’ Hunter said today.

All new markets were significant and Hunter’s hoped to grow their two latest additions in particular over the next few years.

Exports make up 70 percent of Hunter’s production and it is growing as the volume they produce increases annually. The NZ domestic market is stable so Hunter’s are focusing on the fine dining and independent retail sector of each market overseas.

Hunter’s produces about 80,000 cases of wine, nearly half of which is exported. They have won more than 100 gold medals at national and international wine competitions.

Jane Hunter is among a dozen New Zealand winemakers who in a national portrait exhibition recently opened in Wellington. The exhibition will tour New Zealand.

ENDS

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