Constellation NZ Wine Made Global Priority

Constellation NZ Wine Made Global Priority by World's Largest Wine Company

High profile wine brand Kim Crawford is making waves internationally since being selected as a Global Priority Brand by owner Constellation Wines, a status awarded to just four brands from their global portfolio.

Announcing the news Constellation NZ CEO Joe Stanton said "This is great news for Constellation NZ and means we are ready and resourced to take what is already a successful brand to the next level."

Having just returned from a US conference of Constellation Brands senior executives, he explained the significance of the decision.

"NZ Wine is red hot internationally and there is huge growth available for companies with the capacity to meet and sustain it. Most wine lovers world-wide know about our wines and our reputation for quality. But the great majority of wine drinkers off-shore are still yet to taste a New Zealand wine. To have the global reach of Constellation focussed on the Kim Crawford brand means we are poised to take advantage of that opportunity. An opportunity that began with Sauvignon Blanc but we are able to extend now into other varieties like Pinot Gris, Pinto Noir and Merlot."

Following the acquisition of Kim Crawford Wines by Constellation NZ, Kim Crawford was contracted to the company until February of this year. Kim left an exceptional team to carry on the future of the brand that he co-founded 11 years ago with Erica Crawford. Erica remains involved as Senior Vice President Global Sales and Marketing for Constellation NZ.

"A credit to Kim's work and vision is the highly skilled and passionate team that he built up and left in place. Already for vintage 2008 that team took over and delivered the excellence in winemaking that great wine brands are built upon." Said Mr Stanton.

There is a lot of activity ahead for the brand following the US launch of the flagship Kim Crawford Small Parcels. As well as the imminent launch of the Kim Crawford Emerging Artists programme, which will host two kiwi artists at gallery shows in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

ENDS

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