Zorgvliet wines in partnership with Indian company

10 October 2007

Zorgvliet Portfolio is pleased to announce that a Memorandum of Association has been signed with the Bird Group, one of India’s largest conglomerates in the travel and information technology arena.

The agreement has been set up to facilitate the distribution of Zorgvliet wines in the Western Cape, together with the establishment of bilateral tourism between the two countries. The agreement will further cement Zorgvliet’s approach of vertical integration in wine marketing.

According to Mac van der Merwe, Chief Executive: Zorgvliet Portfolio, “the agreement with the Bird Group, which has an extensive footprint across India, will create a marketing channel for Zorgvliet and other, similarly-positioned South African wines.”

Van der Merwe added that the first phase of the business plan will focus on extending both the Zorgvliet and South African wine brand awareness in India.

An intensive campaign is in place, including attendance at a number of prominent events such as the Expat Golf Cup held in Delhi at the end of October.

“Through their local knowledge and networking, the Bird Group is adding considerable value. Negotiations for the listing of Zorgvliet wines with the Taj Hotel Group and various other five-star hotels are already being conducted.”Van der Merwe went on to say that the Indian economy is growing at 9% with the growth for last quarter at 9.2%. “There has been a growth of 40% in imported wine consumption, from 120 000 cases to 170 000 in 2006/ 2007. However, finding the right importer is a major exercise, which we are also currently finalising to ensure that we are able to meet the growing demands for our wines.”