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SONOMA, CA June 21, 2016 – Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits today announces that the Giesen family of New Zealand is teaming up with the Oatley family of Australia for joint ownership of the USA import agency. The 50-50 ownership deal, a first for Australian and New Zealand wine business partnership in USA, sets a bullish path for Pacific Highway growth over the next three years.
Both families have been engaged with the US market for decades. The Giesen’s have had a US market presence since 1996, and the Oatleys since the 1980s with Rosemount Estate and then again with their Robert Oatley Vineyards importing business from 2008. The Oatleys’ changed the business name to Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits in 2013, to mark a decision to look beyond their family wines and to import and provide collaborative support to like-minded independent family companies, Giesen from New Zealand and Douglas Green Bellingham (DGB) of South Africa. Today the Pacific Highway Wine & Spirits portfolio is rounded out by a collection of family brands and projects from Oregon, California, Italy and Chile.
According to Alex Giesen, Founder & Director of Giesen Wines, “With Pacific Highway, the Oatley’s have a similar approach to business – we are able to be nimble and respond to the market quickly – and we thrive on the excitement of growing a business from the ground up.
Quality, regional authenticity, family focus and community are cornerstones we live by.”
“We work well together in the Australian market and now expanding that business partnership to the USA is a natural step,” commented Sandy Oatley, Chairman of Oatley Wines. “We are planning for all of the family brands in the portfolio to benefit from the added investment and strategic direction. Pacific Highway is on a fast-track for growth.”
Leading the portfolio growth, Giesen is up 120%, with solid upside in the retail sector. From the Douglas Green Bellingham group in South Africa, Boschendal has the fastest growth in the portfolio, and the Beachhouse range (SRP $9.99), Pacific Highway’s largest brand, is set to unveil a package upgrade late June 2016 to welcome the beginning of summer. From Australia, the Robert Oatley Signature Series range (SRP $19.99) is positioned to lead the returning interest in regional Australian offerings with a focus on Margaret River and McLaren Vale.
Mark Giordano, President, Pacific Highway Wines & Spirits anticipates growth. “With the new joint ownership under Oatley and Giesen, we now enter a 2nd chapter of business growth. This includes team expansion, at least 2 new additions to the portfolio, and some very aggressive sales targets. It’s exciting.”
About Pacific Highway Wine & Spirits:
Pacific Highway Wine & Spirits is a specialized import, sales and marketing agency based in Sonoma, CA. The USA company was founded in 2013 by the Oatley family of Australia, and in June 2016 the Giesen family of New Zealand partnered with the Oatleys in 50-50% joint ownership. The company is run by President, Mark Giordano with an experienced marketing and sales team that offer an average 17 years tenure of management in the industry. The portfolio includes 20 brands from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, USA and Chile. www.Pacific-Hwy.com
About the partners:
The Oatley family: In the fields of wine, coffee, tourism and yachting, the Oatley family has not only made their mark nationally and internationally but has also raised Australia’s profile and boosted its prosperity. The Oatley family history goes back to almost the beginning of European settlement in Australia, as evidenced by the name carried by the Sydney suburb of Oatley. Robert Oatley Vineyards, founded by the late Robert Oatley AO, is a reinforcement of the family’s on-going commitment to the Australian wine industry, first started with Rosemount Estate (1969 – 2001). The family produces wines both of immediate appeal and cellar-ability, with satisfying flavours over an elegant frame, under labels, Robert Oatley (starting with the Robert Oatley Signature Series, to the Finisterre Range to the Pennant collection) and Wild Oats. Acclaimed vigneron Larry Cherubino is the group’s Director of Winemaking, and based out of Margaret River. www.robertoatley.com.au
The Giesen family: Giesen Wines, established in 1981 by brothers Alex, Theo and Marcel is one of New Zealand’s top 10 wineries and is distributed in 33 countries. It owns 13 vineyards throughout the highly sought after Wairau Valley in Marlborough and has strong and longstanding relationships with high quality grape growers. Giesen’s winemaking team is led by Nikolai St George who has won three consecutive ‘Winemaker of the Year’ titles, 2013 – 2015. Building their reputation over the last three decades with Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Giesen have become specialists with the varietal and offer over seven varying Sauvignon Blanc styles. Not to be mistaken as a one trick pony, Giesen make a range of premium wines to suit many occasions starting from the Estate range, up to The Brothers range, The August 1888, and the Single Vineyard Selection which includes their revered Fuder range of wines. Giesen are passionate about creating great wines that people around the world love. www.giesen.co.nz