Page 17 - IWSCReport2017
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importer & distributor
MOVERS and shakers
A crucial part of the supply chain, two companies were praised for improving choice and flow in the market
Supporter:
Wines of South Africa
Wines of South Africa is a fully inclusive organisation, representing all South African wine producers who export their products around the globe.
Established in 1999, there are over 500 producers on its database and as a not- for-profit company it is totally independent of any producer or wholesaling company. Funded by export levies, Wines of South Africa’s mandate is to promote South African wines in key international markets and contribute to the global success of the South African wine industry through building brand South Africa. CONTACT: UK: Thornton House, Thornton Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 4NG. Telephone: +44(0)20 8405 6442 Email: info@winesofsa.com SOUTH AFRICA: 157 Dorp Street, PO Box 987, Stellenbosch 7599, SA. Tel: +27 21 883 3860 Email: info@wosa.co.za
WINE IMPORTER OF THE YEAR, SUPPORTED BY WINES OF SOUTH AFRICA: ABS WINE AGENCIES
The winner of this year’s Wine Importer of the Year award, Awin Barratt Siegel Wine Agencies was founded in 1986 by Michael Awin, originally under the name Australian Wineries. In the early days, it specialised in Australian wines, but has since expanded to represent all key winemaking regions of the world.
In 2005, the company bought Siegel Wine Agencies and was renamed Awin Barratt Siegel in 2006, more commonly known as ABS. The importer prides itself on being a family-run business and in turn works hard to seek out smaller wineries across the world with the aim of establishing long-term partnerships, while also holding contracts with both British Airways and The Wine Society.
Since 2013, ABS has been bottling more of its own wines in the UK, working with Greencroft Bottling, to supply private- and own-label brands to the UK on- and off-trade, under the guidance of Philip Goodband MW and Lynne Sheriff MW.
While its Australian portfolio remains a key part of its business, it has built strong ranges from Germany and South Africa, which together are worth 20% of its turnover. This year, it added two Oregon wineries to its portfolio: Twill Cellars, in the Willamette Valley; and Division Wine Company, an urban winery in Portland.
SHORTLIST ABS Wine Agencies Bibendum
John E Fells Matthew Clark North South Wines Raisin Social
SPIRITS DISTRIBUTOR OF THE YEAR: MAVERICK DRINKS
2017 marks the third time that Maverick Drinks has won Spirits Distributor of the Year – an impressive feat given that the business was only founded in 2013. Since then it has brought a raft of unique craft spirits to the UK that prioritise provenance and authenticity. In the past year its portfolio has expanded to include Wolfburn Single Malt, That Boutique-y Gin Company and Bluecoat American Dry Gin. The company counts a wealth of wholesalers, online retailers and high street outlets in its UK distribution network, with national retailers Asda, Waitrose and Morrisons coming on board this year, along with specialist retailer The Whisky Shop. To keep up with growth, the Maverick team has doubled in size this year.
Earlier this year Maverick Drinks launched an industry-wide campaign called #ForwardDrinking, which aims to encourage the on- and off-trade to rethink their approach to alcohol. One of the issues it will tackle are industry taboos such as ‘retros’ (when brands pay for bar listings) and ‘pay-to-play’ schemes (when brands offer incentives to gain a retail listing). It is hoped the campaign will also help inspire innovation, bringing the trade together to encourage progress. db
SHORTLIST Maxxium UK Cellar Trends Mangrove
The Drinks Company Emporia Brands Amathus Drinks Maverick Drinks
Michael Vachon, co-founder and head of brand development at Maverick Drinks
16 winners’ guide 2017
Michael Awin (left) and Elliot Awin of ABS
