US giant planning to ease way for Nobilo

By SIMON HENDERY

New Zealand's second-biggest winemaker is expecting better access to European markets but few changes at home now that it is part of the world's largest wine business.

Nobilo Wine Group is owned by Australia's BRL, which has just been taken over by US drinks giant Constellation Brands under a A$1.9 billion ($2.1 billion) deal.

Nobilo's managing director, Brian Vieceli, was in Bermuda last week for a meeting of chief executives of Constellation's business units, which include Pacific Wine Partners, marketer of BRL wines in the United States, and British drinks distributor Matthew Clark.

Vieceli said Constellation chief executive Richard Sands and president and chief operating officer Robert Sands had made it clear at the meeting that they favoured a "decentralised approach" to running the business, similar to the way BRL had been run.

"And with [BRL founding managing director] Steve Miller heading up Constellation Wines [the company's new wine division], they're very keen to continue expanding the Hardy model."

Vieceli said the Constellation takeover offered Nobilo more sales avenues in both the United States and Britain.

Pacific Wine Partners will continue to represent Nobilo in the US, and BRL Hardy in Britain becomes Constellation Europe.

"The combination of what exists, plus access to Matthew Clark will certainly be very, very good for us in that very important UK and European market."