Enotria takes on Arniston Bay

Enotria has signed a deal with South African producer The Company of Wine People, which will see the UK supplier take on distribution of Arniston Bay, along with a portfolio of other wine brands.

COWP managing director Eduan Steynberg and Enotria CEO Alison Levett

With 80% of its wine sold abroad, The Company of Wine People claims to be South Africa’s fifth largest packaged wine exporter.

Effective from February 2013, the deal with Enotria includes Arniston Bay, one of the UK’s biggest wine brands, as well as Kumkani, which was restructured at the start of 2012 to give joint ownership to winemaker Allison S Adams-Witbooi as part of South Africa’s black ownership scheme.

The two other brands are traditional Stellenbosch producer Welmoed and the less conventional Versus brand.

Paul Waddingham, brand and business development manager for the UK, Ireland & Iberia at The Company of Wine People, described Enotria as “the ideal partner partner to grow together our full portfolio of brands and build on the opportunities that the South African category offers in the UK.”

Pointing to the on-trade and independent specialist’s existing South African portfolio, which includes wineries such as Iona, Morgenster and Ken Forrester, Enotria CEO Alison Levett explained: “We’ve been seeking an additional partner to enable us to work in a broader spread of channels and so are delighted to announce this partnership with the company of wine people.

“We believe there is a strong fit between the two businesses; both are innovative, forward-thinking and passionate about wine.”

Levett also highlighted the producer’s brands as being “at the cutting edge of innovation with packaging and lighter alcohol solutions.” Earlier this year, Arniston Bay’s previous distributor, Percy Fox, launched a lower alcohol, reduced calorie range extension to tap into this growing UK trend.