After a successful trip around NZ with Eurowine team, I boarded a big Air NZ plane to London England for 6 week tour of duty around UK, Mainland Europe & Asia.
1st Stop London, where we met and confirmed our entire ranging with Shore Solutions who service luxury yatchs here. Next day we had the Stokes Fine Wine Trade day, with huge response from the trade and media there. Had lovely tasting with Steven Spurrier from Decanter (watch this space….!!!!) and Rosemary George MW who is coming to visit on her trip to NZ at the end of the month for Marlborough Wine Weekend. Ironclad 08 & MOW Pinot Gris 08 favourites on the day. Also dropped off some Valhalla 08 flown in by yours truly for Roka restaurant, as UK out of stock until end November. Roka such a great restaurant, MOW Syrah 08 available by the glass there in November.
Quick visit to Apsley Estate, The Old Garage, and home of Stokes Fine Wines to discuss our exciting program for 2010!!! Watch out UK… here we come.
Next stop chilly Stockholm to see Simon & Calle from Concealed Wines. We had a fantastic day in the trade visiting some of the best spots to eat & drink, especially Restaurant Hälsingborg, Olle looked after us, brilliant concept, choice of Forrest, Ocean and/or Farm set menu, with MOW Chardonnay matched with Farm entrée. Will definitely be back next time!
Then snowy Munich, where Florian & Thomas from Wine In Motion, looked after me very well, introducing me to the delights of a Bavarian breakfast. We finalised our distribution with them. First order on its way to Munich as we speak. Great opportunity here, and an amazing portfolio to be apart of!
Finally some sun, in Madrid, where we caught up with Cesar from Winetipodes, and discovered the culinary delights of Spain while looking for opportunities for MOW here. Wine is in Spain, but await our customs friends to clear it through, going into some of the great restaurants here and we already have some friends at the American Women’s Club eagerly awaiting delivery. Was lovely to see the sun!
Headed around the coast to Cannes, France for the Tax Free & Duty Free Show, where we snuck onto the Bardinet stand, courtesy of Jeremy Belcher our dear friend from Bordeaux. We showed MOW wines and were 1 of 3 NZ brands there. Most people very intrigued about us and New Zealand. Had a wonderful time with Gun & Sophie from Finland, who are helping us to get our wines in ferry’s, on planes and into stores there.
From Cannes, I flew across country to Nantes to meet with Jerome & Catherine at Les Celliers d’Asie, who is an amazing distributor in Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos with head office in France. We tasted the MOW Range, Ironclad, Dreadnought & MOW Chardonnay hits of the tasting. Will be launching with them early next year. Exciting stuff!
Returned to London, exhausted but buzzing with excitement of seeing MOW in some wonderful places in Europe and planning for an exciting next year. Last week in London, we caught up with Pierre from Wine Society, met the delightful Mel from The Providores, Dreadnought available now on the wine list, Noel Young at Noel Young Wines, Charlotte & Sarah from NZ Winegrowers, in store tasting at Harvey Nicholls with Jeremy & the team. MOW Ironclad & MOW Syrah on shelf and flying out now. Finally this morning, breakfast with the charming Alessandro from Zuma & Roka. Valhalla back on the list in December, MOW Syrah going on next week.
Next stop Singapore Wine Show, looking forward to seeing Kate & the team there.
