In the 2023 National Liquor News Industry Leaders Forum, Vintage House Wine & Spirits reveals how an expansive and growing portfolio has seen the company thrive in an uneasy market.
Vintage House Wine & Spirits, the distribution business of the Angove family, has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 months, emerging from the pandemic in a stronger position than ever before.
Managing Director, Tim Boydell, says that while there was a shift towards premiumisation during the pandemic, a new shift back to some lower price offers and lower spends per shop has been observed over the past few months.
“Cost of living pressures are real and will continue to impact on consumers’ discretionary spending. Thankfully, our portfolio is spread across a vast price range from excellent quality entry level wines right the way through to super premium offerings in both wine and spirits,” he says.
According to Boydell, an opportunity exists to continue to grow the portfolio with regional specialties from both Australia and overseas. He highlights the success of reestablishing Champagne Duval Leroy in the Australian market and adding in several new offerings from Argentina, Finland, France, and Italy, with more internationals arriving in the coming months to offer ever-increasing choice and quality within the portfolio.
Successful launches
Over the past year, the company’s portfolio has seen significant growth in both domestic and imported brands, with a range spanning from affordable to premium. It has also seen some exciting product revamps and line extensions that have been exceptionally well received.
The team at the St Agnes Distillery has been busy with new product releases including the first ever Blind Tiger Organic Shiraz Gin and Blind Tiger Organic Gin and Premium Tonic premix cans, both of which have been a hit with customers and consumers.
Meanwhile, the St Agnes range of brandies continues to win award upon award, and Boydell says it is truly an honour to represent these iconic spirits in the Australian market.
The Angove organic and Angove McLaren Vale offerings continue to build momentum in very competitive segments of the market, spurred along by a vast array of medals, awards and reviews. Hollick, Temple Bruer, Tulloch, and Water Wheel have continued to build on their regional success and the addition of Simon Tolley from the Adelaide Hills and Peninsula Panorama from the Mornington Peninsula have been fantastic new additions.
Finally, after launching the original Stone’s alcoholic ginger beer 14 years ago, the past year saw a total revamp of both product and packaging and a massive promotional investment, which was designed to help the brand toward reclaiming the title of Australia’s leading alcoholic ginger beer.
“We want to thank our loyal customers who stood by us during the COVID pandemic and have worked with us to emerge stronger than ever over the past year. Without these win-win partnerships we would all be in very different situation right now,” concluded Boydell.
Find more from the 2023 National Liquor News Industry Leaders Forum here.
Article written by Deb Jackson.