Boutique wineries form NZ alliance

Published: 27 January, 2010

Five boutique wineries from New Zealand have banded together in a new marketing alliance, with the aim of promoting premium Kiwi wines from around the world.

The Specialist Winegrowers of New Zealand has been formed by wineries which each specialise in a particular style - though none is known for the country's signature grape variety, Sauvignon Blanc.

The producers are No1 Family Estate from Marlborough, which specialises in sparkling wine; Gisborne producer Vinoptima Estate, which specialises in Hewurztraminer; and Wooing Tree of Central Otago, which is best known for Pinot Noir.

Two Waiheke Island producers - Syrah specialist The Hay Paddock, and Destiny Bay Wines, which markets Bordeaux blends - complete the set.

The group launches on March 9 and will offer customers a single point of contact. It is actively looking for new members and hopes to recruit Riesling and Chardonnay specialists in due course.

New Zealand Winegrowers' UK director David Cox said: "This is an interesting development and any initiative that enhances further the premium positioning of New Zealand wines is to be welcomed.

"This collection of specialist winegrowers represents a particularly fine group of super-premium wineries and together they speak volumes about where New Zealand wine is currently.

"It must be said, however, that in my markets in the UK and Europe, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc generically continues to be positioned at a premium level, despite some recent pricing activity, and is enhancing the image of NZ rather than hindering it."

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