McWilliam's switches from PLB to Kingsland Wines & Spirits

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 12 February, 2014

Australian winery McWilliam's has moved its UK business from PLB to Kingsland Wines & Spirits.

The move follows recent changes in the UK market, including the appointment of James Roberts as UK sales director and the partnership with Weight Watchers for the Harmony and essenze lower alcohol ranges.

As a result of the change, McWilliam's Foundation ranges (JJ McWilliam, Silverwood, Markview, Sunstone and Hayfield) and premium Hanwood Estate, Family and Flagship tiers will become part of Legacy Wines, the agency business set up by Kingsland in 2012 after its purchase of Stratford's. McWilliam's will also introduce their new Altitude and Appellation ranges in order to support Legacy's regional offering for the on-trade and independent channels.

Roberts said: "2014 will be another significant year for McWilliam's with a comprehensive packaging revamp designed to further highlight the quality, heritage and family-owned nature of the brand. Working with the Legacy Wines agency side, and the Kingsland UK bottling business, will be integral to us taking this message out to their extensive and growing customer base."

Rob Page, sales director at Kingsland Wine & Spirits added: "The last 12 months have been significant for both of us, and the addition of a producer with such quality and heritage to our portfolio very much strengthens our proposition to the trade. We are very excited to work together to grow this brand to the size and scale it deserves in the UK market."

There are major changes afoot at PLB, with the result that a number of brands have switched distributors while the company has also taken on new listings. Wineries that have moved elsewhere include California's Trinchero Family Estates, owner of the Sutter Home brand, and Chilean winery Montes.

Six generations of McWilliams have been involved with running the company since it was established by Samuel McWilliam in 1877. Today, McWilliam's sources from vineyards in premium wine regions across New South Wales including Riverina, Hilltops, Tumbarumba and Orange. The firm is one of the founding producers behind Australia's First Families Of Wine.

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