Taylors Wines to be represented in New Zealand by Hancocks Wine & Spirit Merchants.

Taylors Wines, the family-owned winery from Australia's Clare Valley, today announced the transfer of its New Zealand market representation to independent premium wine agency Hancocks Wine & Spirit Merchants, effective 1 March 2010.

Taylors Wines began distribution in New Zealand in the early 1990s through National Liquor Distributors, formerly an independent wine wholesaler that evolved to become Constellation New Zealand, a subsidiary of the US-based global wine company of the same name.

Mitchell Taylor, third generation CEO of Taylors Wines acknowledges the many years of successful business partnership and professionalism afforded to Taylors Wines in New Zealand by the Constellation Sales and Marketing teams. At the same time, he is excited to embark on a new relationship with the family-owned Hancocks Wine & Spirit Merchants.

"The move to team up with Hancock Wine & Spirit Merchants is a natural one, joining two family wine companies of similar size and make-up.

"Our single estate philosophy and utter obsession with the quality of our wines gives us a competitive edge and has resulted in many international and domestic awards. This success has been recognised by wine distributors such as Hancocks who are now seeking partnerships with us."

Joe Jakicevich, Managing Director of Hancocks Wine and Spirit Merchants commented;

"Taylors is not just a wine brand but a family winery whose philosophy "The wine is everything" mirrors many of our own guiding values. We have been entrusted with this highly acclaimed Australian Winery to further develop their position and awareness with the NZ consumer. We are very proud that our family businesses have come together in this market."

For further information please contact:

Neil Hadley: [email protected]