NZ WINE PRODUCER SEES GROWTH POTENTIAL IN M`SIAN MARKET

BY SAMANTHA TAN CHIEW TING

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- New Zealand-based Stanley Estates Ltd
sees growth potential in the Malaysian market for its wine collection as
Malaysia is known to be a food haven.

Stanley Estates owner Steve Pellett said Malaysia was picked as one of the
countries in Asia to develop a strong market presence.

The company will expand to Singapore, Europe and the United Kingdom markets
in due course.

" We're currently talking to two potential distributors who have a strong
market presence in Malaysia. The first shipment is expected in November with 112
cases," he told Bernama in an exclusive interview in Kuala Lumpur.

He said Stanley Estates' Sauvignon Blanc wine will be available at all
Denise Wines outlets, a local wine specialty retail store, by middle of next
month.

Stanley Estates was co-founded by Pellett and Bridget Ennals, both fruit
technologists, who started their life as grape growers in Marlborough, New
Zealand.

Their speciality is the great Sauvignon Blanc from the world's most famous
Sauvignon Blanc region in Marlborough.

Their 2009 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc shows mineral pureness of ripe
tropical flavours, gooseberries balanced with a lush herbaceousness of capsicum
and a hint of blackcurrent leaves.

Pellett said Malaysia is an excellent market to showcase its wine collection
in view of the country's traditional and fusion cuisine.

Its humid climate is also an advantage as it would spur wine drinkers to
have a refreshing glass of wine, he said.

" There are also good restaurant culture in Malaysia and a growing number of
young wine drinkers who regard wine-drinking as a modern and upmarket culture.

" We're happy to produce quality Sauvignon Blanc and are looking ahead to
expand our portfolio with Pinot Noir and Albarino labels in the next few years,"
Pellett added.

-- BERNAMA