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Petrus gets new distributor in South Africa
Great Domaines in South Africa has started its new role as the agent of Château Petrus in the country; it has swiftly sold out of its first allocation of 2014 wines.
In 2013, Petrus shook up its distribution network, creating its own company to handle distribution to various markets known as Clés Distribution.
In 2015 Great Domaines and various other merchants were invited to tender for the right to act as the agent for Petrus in South Africa, a tender Great Domaines won, citing its aptitude for the role due to its successful handling of other prestigious names in the country, not least of which is Domaine de la Romanée-Conti.
In terms of what the deal provides for Petrus, Derek Kilpin, general manager and co-founder of Great Domaines, told the drinks business: “[Previously] Petrus was distributed like all the other big names in Bordeaux and that is simply importers in South Africa buying from various négociants and importing the wine into the country.
“This is where provenance and pricing issues often creep in. This new distribution set-up provides control from Petrus to the end consumer in South Africa.
“Petrus knows where their wine is going as we can tell them and importantly our customers know when they buy from us, that the previous location for that wine was in the cellar of Petrus so the potential provenance issue is completed eliminated.”
The merchant’s first consignment of Petrus, from the 2014 vintage, arrived this week to an enthusiastic reception.
Kilpin said: “The wines were all sold immediately so our next challenge is to try increase our allocation as the relationship with Petrus grows.”
Christophe Jacquemin Sablon, managing director of Clés Distributions, added in a statement: “Great Domaines has a number of qualities that best suit it to be the partner of Petrus in South Africa; thanks to its experience in the local market, its expertise in developing the selective distribution essential for the finest estates and its philosophy focused on human values which give the final customer a faithful translation of our mutual passion and efforts”.