Australian Vintage appoints United Wine Merchants in NI

The agreement follows the appointment of Group LFE and Waverley TBS as strategic distribution partners in 2007 and 2006 respectively, and strongly reinforces Australian Vintage's stated two-pronged strategy to grow it branded portfolio and its international business.

Established in 1985, United Wine Merchants services over 900 on-trade and off-trade customers, as well as regional wholesalers, national multiples, and local cash & carry groups throughout Ireland.

Commenting on the development, United Wine Merchant managing director James O'Neill said: "After our successful association with McGuigan Private Bin over the last couple of years we are delighted to be handling the entire Australian Vintage portfolio, including the successful McGuigan Black label range. This will be a great boost for UWM in the challenging year ahead and will provide us with exciting new opportunities to further increase and strengthen our market position in the Australian category."

Effective immediately, UWM will continue to build on the success of the McGuigan Black Label brand in Northern Ireland whilst driving distribution of the Tempus Two range in both the off and on trade channels. In addition, UWM will introduce the Nepenthe range into Northern Ireland.

Paul Schaafsma, European regional director for Australian Vintage added "With its growing wine consumption and thirst for New World wines, Northern Ireland is an important market for Australian Vintage. We are delighted to have joined forces with such a dynamic and forward thinking distributor and look forward to continuing to develop our brands in this market."

Source: Australian Vintage

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