‘A Sticky End’ scoops UK 'Decanter' Gold

14 June 2011
MEDIA RELEASE

‘A Sticky End’ scoops UK Decanter Gold
Marisco Vineyards exports up 48% on back of Northern Hemisphere selling season

Marisco Vineyard’s Kings Series ‘A Sticky End’ Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2009 has been awarded a Gold medal in the July issue of prestigious UK-based Decanter magazine. The award tops off a successful Northern Hemisphere tour for Marsico Vineyards in May, which included the NZ Wine Fairs in Canada, and the London International Wine Fair.

“Our export business is flying, up 48.8% on the same time last year. We’ve just signed up Canada, and we’re actively exploring new markets that suit our brands and our business model, including Sweden and China,” says Proprietor and Chief Winemaker Brent Marris.

“Our experience shows that personally supporting and building a presence in the markets that have embraced our wines is hugely important. A Gold medal in Decanter adds another layer to our credentials for international markets—we’re very proud!” he says.

Seventy-five percent of Marisco Vineyards volume is sold offshore through their two labels, The Ned and The Kings Series, which are distributed in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Central Europe, Singapore, Australia, the United States and Canada. All their wines are produced in their state-of-the-art custom-built winery on their 260ha property in the Waihopai Valley.

“Wine is romanticised too often and not given enough focus as an important primary sector industry. Like most of our agricultural products wine is a key export for New Zealand with sales worth about $1.09 billion annually. To maintain and grow this we’ve got to spend time in international markets, building our brands and cementing relationships,” says Marris.

Today Marisco Vineyards also announced a change to its distribution arrangements in Australia to align with the successful model they use in the UK—selling direct to large retailers with a focus on customised service across the trade. From 1 July they will no longer sell through Fine Wine Partners. There will be no change to distribution arrangements in New Zealand.

ENDS

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A Sticky End Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2009
The fruit used for A Sticky End was left to hang until 1 June after the main Sauvignon Blanc crop was harvested in March. The resulting juice was then fermented in new and seasoned French oak using carefully selected yeast strains from Germany designed to handle sweet fruit. A further 15 months maturation in barrel allowed the wine to evolve to its current state expressing notes of honey and citrus peel and with layers of apricot and white-fleshed peach.

The Sticky End is part of Marisco Vineyards’ The Kings Series range, which celebrates the stories of Brent Marris’ ancestors. A Sticky End is available at selected restaurants and retails for $35.00 at fine wine retailers. www.thekingsseries.co.nz

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