TWO OCEANS ON A ROLL IN THE US
Popular South African wine brand Two Oceans is not only currently trending ahead of its competitors in the US imported wine sector, but it has just been given another boost thanks to a listing by the leading Four Seasons hospitality group. Two Oceans Chardonnay, sold to patrons by the glass, and on the menu for all catered events, will be offered across 25 establishments in the US and Caribbean for the next 24 months.
Already the top-selling South African wine range in Canada and a major player in Sweden and other Scandinavian countries, in the US, AC Nielsen data shows the brand recording year-on-year sales volume growth of 29% for the 13 weeks to September 17, 2011, compared with the 1,4% decline of the imported dry table wine sector as a whole for the same period.
Globally, the brand continues to hold its own, despite the recession, says international marketing manager Jackie Olivier.
“Two Oceans has managed to defy the downturn in many major markets thanks to its compelling value offering. It is also backed by strong eco-credentials. All the grapes sourced for the range are accredited by South Africa’s Integrated Production of Wine (IPW) for sustainable wine-growing and winemaking practices. The wine will soon be sold exclusively in light-weight, fully recyclable 350-gram bottles in line with our commitment to lightening our impact on the planet. By reducing bottle weight from the original 460 grams, we shall be saving the equivalent of 120 kgs of carbon equivalent emissions for every 1 000 bottles produced. These light-weight bottles will also feature biodegradable labels, inks and adhesives and they will be packed in biodegradable cartons.”
All Two Oceans wines from the 2010 vintage carry the Sustainable Wine South Africa (SWSA) seal, backed by a sophisticated tracking system in which bottle contents can be traced back to source at every stage of the supply chain to confirm the integrity of their production.
Olivier said the Two Oceans relationship with Four Seasons was particularly apposite, given the hospitality group’s involvement with the environment.
“In South Africa, we support the WWF Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (WWF SASSI) that helps to improve the conservation status of overexploited seafood in local oceans, while Four Seasons supports the sea turtle conservancy in the area near Nevis, their breeding ground in the Eastern Caribbean. Our switch to light-weight bottles is reducing our carbon emissions, while Four Seasons has embarked on a campaign to plant 10 million trees in 34 countries to offset its carbon emissions.”
The internationally marketed wine brand is not only well supported in Canada and much of Scandinavia but is coasting on a wave of popularity in China, Hong Kong, Malaysia and New Zealand. In India, for example, it is listed by some of the country’s highest profile hotels, restaurants and clubs, as well as a range of prominent retail chains and is available in most of the major and second-tier cities across the country.
In the US, the brand is represented by Aveníu Brands. Amongst Two Oceans retail stockists are Publix, Beverages & More, Walgreens, Whole Foods and Costco, while other hospitality chains offering the brand include Marriott, Sheraton, Holiday Inn, Ramada and Radisson.
DATE NOVEMBER 8, 2011
ISSUED BY DKC (DE KOCK COMMUNICATIONS)
FOR TWO OCEANS WINES
QUERIES JACKIE OLIVIER, GLOBAL TWO OCEANS MARKETING MANAGER, + 27 21 809 7000
TESSA DE KOCK/MARLISE POTGIETER, DKC + 27 21 422 2690
Kind regards
Marlise Potgieter
De Kock Communications (DKC)
Tel: +27 21 422 2690
Fax/Faks: +27 86 610 5388
Cell/Sel: +27 72 562 5307
E-mail/E-pos: marlise@dkc.co.za
