By Deborah Jackson, editor National Liquor News
Yalumba has announced it will further develop its brands in China through a new distribution partnership with ASC Fine Wines (ASC).
The Hill-Smith Family
The partnership will see ASC, which is owned by Suntory Wine International (SWI), become the exclusive distributor in mainland China of wines from The Yalumba Wine Company and Hill-Smith Family Vineyards including its sister vineyard Nautilus Estate of Marlborough, New Zealand.
ASC is China's leading fine wine importer and distributor with a portfolio that includes more than 1200 premium labels from over 100 wineries around the world.
Bruno Baudry, CEO of ASC said: "We are absolutely thrilled to welcome The Yalumba Wine Company, the Hill-Smith Family Vineyards and their sister Nautilus Estate of Marlborough, New Zealand, to our portfolio of fine wines. They are well admired fine wine brands worldwide. The addition will be pivotal to ASC's continuous growth in the new stage of development of China's dynamic wine market."
Yuji Yamazaki, president and CEO of SWI added: "SWI commenced the partnership with Yalumba in Japan in October 2015. Suntory Group and Yalumba share similar philosophies and values. We are very happy and proud to strengthen the partnership between our groups and are very excited with our new alliance in China."
For the last 11 years Yalumba has been distributed in China by Summergate Fine Wines and Spirits and chairman Robert Hill-Smith thanked the team for its friendship and support.
"Ian Ford and Brendan O'Toole and their team have continually supported our efforts in China and we sincerely thank them for their energetic commitment to our company, its people and our wine sales. We wish them every success. It is now time for us to align ourselves with ASC in China to further develop our brands with a new partner. We are excited," said Hill-Smith.