Kiwi Wine Brand Soho Finds Its USA Mojo

15 August 2012

Kiwi Wine Brand Finds Its USA Mojo

Soho celebrates huge win in USA

Boutique New Zealand winery SOHO WINE CO is toasting their success as the first three 40 foot containers filled with 4000 cases of SOHO wine, leave our shores, bound for the USA.

The independently owned winery has just signed a deal with Chuck Squires from Vici Wines and Spirits, a specialist US-based wine importer. The agreement, along with other exports and domestic sales, will see SOHO’s production increase by 253% over the next two years. Vici alone will import half of the expected 60,000 cases to be produced in 2014.

“We’ve long considered adding a premium New Zealand winery to our Southern Hemisphere portfolio (which until now has focused on South American wines) but until we came across SOHO we hadn’t found one that met our brief,” says Chuck Squires. “Not only is the wine award-winning and distinctive, but the whole essence of the brand is appealing – from the fashion inspiration to being named after the entertainment capital of the world.”

SOHO, already known for its risqué and contemporary approach, is going from strength to strength during a tough time for many others in the wine industry. In the last year alone SOHO has signed export deals with two key distributors: Vranken Pommery, Australia and Bibendum Wines, UK, adding to an extensive list of export destinations including China, South Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Fiji.

Rachael Carter, founder of SOHO, adds, “It’s been a very busy year for us, and we have many more exciting things in the pipeline. For us it has been all about embracing our passion for life, fashion and entertainment so that we can produce remarkable wine that tastes great and meets a need in the market.

“Growing our own grapes on family-owned vineyards, and having three award-winning winemakers in the best New Zealand wine regions, is part of our successful business model. This also means we have the grape capacity to the meet the increased demand for our wine.”

The SOHO range will be sold through Vici Wine distributers in 50 states across the US from 1 September 2012. An extensive range will be sold, consisting of Soho White Collection Sauvignon Blanc, Soho White Collection Pinot Noir, Soho Stella Sauvignon Blanc, Soho Jagger Pinot Gris, Soho Havana Pinot Noir and Soho McQueen Pinot Noir. More varietals will be added next year.

About Vici Wine & Spirits
Vici Wine & Spirits, headquartered in Coral Springs, Florida, sources and imports wines primarily from SA, Argentina and Chile. Vici specializes in bringing exceptional wines to the U.S. market at very reasonable prices. The company has built a solid distributor network and its wines are now available in most major markets. For more information, please visit, www.viciwineandspirits.com.

About SOHOWineCo.
SOHO was founded by Rachael Carter in 2009 and named after the two entertainment capitals in the world. Since its first vintage, SOHO has created 5-star, gold-medal winning wines encapsulated in Tom Ford-inspired packaging. The brand is reflective of the social network associated with enjoying wine – the situation, company and environment. SOHO embodies a sexy, fun and quality focused style.

Rachael has a long family history in the NZ wine industry with the Carters owning vineyards throughout New Zealand, and having previously owned a wine screw-top business. Soho grows its own grapes in three of the best New Zealand wine regions, and has three outstanding award-winning winemakers producing the wine in each of the three regions.

The award-winning Soho wine making team consists of Dave Clouston, Pete Turner and Grant Taylor.

MARLBOROUGH - Dave Clouston
Marlborough born and bred Dave Clouston produces wines that are true expressions of Marlborough’s unique terroir. Dave’s wines are clean, pure, and consistent, with a strong focus on balance, length and texture. High quality and hand crafted wines have earned Dave gold medals for SOHO Stella Sauvignon Blanc, SOHO White Sauvignon Blanc and SOHO Havana Pinot Noir. With 27 vintages under his belt it is hard to believe this award-winning winemaker is only in his mid-30s. In 2011 Dave was an Australasian Young Winemaker of the Year finalist.

CENTRAL OTAGO - Grant Taylor
Pioneering winemaker Grant Taylor joined the SOHO WINE CO team to provide us with an outstanding Central Otago Pinot Noir. He has won the BEST PINOT NOIR at the London International Wine Challenge not once, but twice – a feat achieved by no other winemaker. Grant’s wines are suffused with personality and charm, and age superbly. The SOHO McQueen Pinot Noir 2009 was #1 in Cuisine Magazine and in the same year the SOHO McQueen Couture came in at #4 in NZ.

WAIHEKE ISLAND - Pete Turner
Legendary SOHO Waiheke winemaker Pete Turner completed his internship under iconic South African winemaker, Bruce Jack. Here he learnt that wine needs lots of loving but not so much handling. P ete’s wines show a definite French flair from his time spent at wineries in the Rhone Valley and Southern France, this is very apparent in the five wines he produces for SOHO. Pete has achieved many 5 star ratings for SOHO and a gold medal for the Westwood Rose. Pete’s philosophy – “Wine should tell a story – an expression of the terroir in which it is grown. A great wine should display elegance but enough interest, so that the last glass is as exciting, if not more so, than the first.”

ENDS

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