Kim Crawford Joins Waipara Hills Board

News Release 1 December 2006

Kim Crawford Joins Waipara Hills Board

Kim Crawford, one of New Zealand’s most successful winemakers, has been appointed to the board of directors of Waipara Hills Wine Estate Ltd.

Also appointed is John Williams, the former finance director of Kim Crawford Wines Ltd.
Baden Ngan Kee, the chief executive of Waipara Hills, said the appointments added proven winemaking and industry expertise to the company’s expansion in grape production and sales volumes.

“The recent merger of Waipara Hills with New Zealand Vineyard Estates Ltd and the acquisition of Mud House Wines have created growth opportunities across all our growing, winemaking and export activities,” he said.

“We currently have over 400 hectares of producing vineyards in Marlborough, Waipara and Central Otago, as well as contracts with independent growers.

“Gaining the skills of these two highly experienced directors will greatly assist the direction and quality of our domestic and offshore business prospects.”

Kim Crawford produced his first wine label in 1996 and within a few years achieved unprecedented success in export markets.

He also produced the first-ever Sauvignon Blanc to be voted champion wine at the 2005 Air New Zealand Wine Awards.

The grapes for this were grown at New Zealand Vineyard Estates’ Delta vineyard, ownership of which transferred to Waipara Hills in July this year.

Vincor International acquired the Kim Crawford brand in 2003 and Mr Crawford continues to work as a consultant for Constellation Wines, which purchased Vincor earlier this year.

ends

© Scoop Media