Wellington Wines opens European Office

Tuesday, 18 March, 2014
Wellington Wines
Wellington Wines announce the official opening of their European Sales and Marketing office in the UK. Christian Gilbert has been appointed to manage all European operations.

Wellington Wines are delighted to announce the official opening of their European Sales and Marketing office in the UK. Christian Gilbert, of Export consutancy firm ‘Rushmore Ltd’, has been appointed to manage all European operations.

“After a series of domestic acquisitions that have seen our supply capacity increase dramatically and at a time where demand for quality wines shipped in bulk is so strong, we are delighted to be getting closer to our customers. With an experienced Sales and Marketing professional in the market we can provide improved service levels and customer reassurance which has already been reflected in an uplift in sales contracts, particularly in the UK” said Johan Truter, CEO of Wellington Wines.

Based in Wellington in the Western Cape of South Africa, Wellington Wines has a vision to be one of the key suppliers of quality wine for retailer brands. The company has 3 production facilities and produces some 26million litres of wine annually. They are BRC, WIETA, IPW and Fairtrade accredited and have some of the most advanced cellar technology available today.

In addition to the global favourites of Cabernet, Shiraz & Chardonnay, Wellington Wines are experts at South Africa’s ‘own’ varieties of Pinotage and Chenin and because of the exceptional and diverse soil types and microclimates in the region, they also produce ‘exciting’ cultivars such as Grenache Blanc, Rousanne, Old Vine Cinsaut, Carignan, Barbera and are specialists in lower alcohol wines.

Wellington is known as the ‘cradle’ of the South African wine industry because some 80% of all vines planted in the industry are grown and nurtured in Wellington soils. Hence the statement “Wellington Wines - where wines are born”.

Christian Gilbert says: “The term ‘UK bottled’ rarely gets the heart racing or has critics gazing dreamily into their wine glasses but there are still some superb value UK bottled wines on the shelves at the moment. Sales data proves that the consumer likes them - and is loyal - and some of the retailers have done a great job to ensure the presentation backs up the quality of the wine. With such a mature, demanding consumer in the UK this has become an increasingly important part of our industry and I am excited to be driving the Wellington Wines investment in the UK and helping to boost the image of UK bottled wines overall”.

Wellington Wines invite customers and journalists to visit them at Prowein. They will be exhibiting in the WOSA area in Hall 1, B18 #17.

Contact: Christian Gilbert. T: +44 (0) 7829 990 008 E: christian@wellingtonwines.com