Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/518118
36 / the tasting panel / june 2015 Brand Pitch Brand Pitch A Joint Initiative by BeverageTradeNetwork.com and Wine Australia for the U.S. Market Down Under Importers, please visit beveragetradenetwork.com/wineaustralia to request pricing and samples. The Islander Estate Vineyards The Islander Estate Vineyards was established by Bordeaux winemaker Jacques Lurton. Kangaroo Island's maritime climate is ideal for a premium quality vineyard, and Jacques planted grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Semillon, which are well suited to the terroir and have proven to produce premium, elegant style wines with great balance, natural acidity and long clean finishes. The ample sunshine is cooled by constant gentle breezes, which allows for a long, slow ripening period, perfect for creating great complexity of flavor in the grapes. The Islander Estate offers a new approach to Australian wines, made from grapes grown in a sustainable vineyard, without the use of chemical herbicides and pesticides. In the winery, the wines are hand crafted using traditional French methods to produce elegant wines with full palate coverage, well bal- anced tannins and long, lingering finishes. The Islander Estate Vineyards has received widespread acclaim. Wine critic James Halliday has awarded the winery 5 Red Stars and consistently rates the wines with outstanding scores across the board. Bolder TM Tony Mangan, a self-confessed "fat boy from the bush," started small 23 years ago in the sundrenched region of Mildura and has grown into one of the largest private grape growers in Australia, with over 1300 acres of vines, producing 1% of Australia's vol- ume or the equivalent of 15 million bottles of wine per annum. Most of this fruit was previously sold to one of Australia's largest wineries, but Tony's love of good food, great wine and fantastic company convinced him it was time to bring his wine direct to the consumer. Bolder TM has the luxury of being able to offer continuity of supply; its offering is uniquely Australian and its authentic, larger-than-life brand owner is unlike any character you have ever met. As a grower-producer, it is in a perfect position to work with an importer to develop the brand to suit your market, with offerings at every price point, including the value Explorer Range and the stylish Don't Hesitate range from McLaren Vale. 3 Oceans Winery Established in 1999 in Margaret River and named after the three oceans that surround Australia, 3 Oceans Winery is a winery with true Australian spirit and global ambition. Winemakers Ben Roodhouse and Jonathan Mettam use Old World winemaking practices balanced with modern New World techniques that give 3 Oceans wines a complex, layered profile with their own unique identity. They use only premium grapes sourced from estate vineyards in Margaret River and Frankland River, the most exceptional wine growing regions in Western Australia. The elegant, multi-award-winning wines from The Estates range are rich in flavor and are partly produced from Frankland River, one of the coolest and most isolated wine growing regions in Australia, in addition to fruit from the world-famous premium grape growing region of Margaret River. The approachable fruit-forward reds and bright crisp whites make these styles of wines great for the American market. With neutral, clean and modern packaging The Estates range appeals to all ages and the varying group of wine consumers the U.S. market today. Heathcote II Founded in 2004, Heathcote II is the prod- uct of two individuals, Lionel Flutto and Danish-born, French-trained winemaker Peder Rosdal, and is all about producing premium red wines of the highest quality. Peder and Lionel run the whole process from hand-pruning the vines to pressing. The wines are made purely from grapes grown on estate property in Toolleen. The yield is naturally very low, rarely exceed- ing 1.5 tons to the acre; only 13 acres are planted to vine, mostly Shiraz, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Tempranillo and Grenache. The oldest vines have an aver- age age of 20 years. For the right importer, Heathcote II provides a limited volume at the premium end of the Australian selection. No virtual winery here or label engineering, no mass production either, Heathcote II is about living and working in the terroir, embracing vintage variations and working with time. Heathcote II is a great product with a strong story and track record in a beautiful packaging. Bolder TM Tony Mangan, a self-confessed "fat boy from the bush," started small 23 years ago in the sundrenched region of Mildura and has grown into one of the largest private grape growers in Australia, with over 1300 acres of vines, producing 1% of Australia's vol ume or the equivalent of 15 million bottles of wine per annum. Most of this fruit was previously sold to one of Australia's largest wineries, but Tony's love of good food, great wine and fantastic company convinced him it was time to bring his wine direct to the consumer. of supply; its offering is uniquely Australian and its authentic, larger-than-life brand owner is unlike any character you have ever met. As a grower-producer, it is in a perfect position to work with an importer to develop the brand to suit your market, with offerings at every price point, including the value Explorer Range and the stylish Don't Hesitate range from McLaren Vale.