Australian winemaker Leconfield Wines is recording strong growth in export sales offsetting a decline in on-premise demand during the Covid-19 crisis.
The McLaren Vale, South Australia, based winery has recently won new orders from across Europe and Canada.
Leconfield Wines owner Richard Hamilton said domestic sales has been hit through the closure of restaurants and other hospitality outlets across the country, especially in Victoria. The winemaker has also recorded mixed results internationally with consumers in some markets, including China, reducing spend.
However, Leconfield Wines restructured to focus on building collaborative partnerships and foster growth in other overseas markets.
“These strategies are already starting to yield great results,” said Hamilton.
The wine maker has been approved for distribution and sale in three regions in Canada – Ontario, New Brunswick and Quebec. It is also planning to expand into other Canadian provinces.
“The recent decision by Canada to remove tariffs on the import of Australian wines has opened up new opportunities for us,” he added.
Besides Canada, Leconfield Wines has won distribution opportunities in Finland and Belgium. For the Belgium market, it has partnered with local food retailer Delhaize to supply a private label Coonawarra Shiraz under the name of Dalebrook Farm.
“We are already in talks regarding line extensions,” Hamilton said.
“Despite the challenges we are facing here at home, we are determined to achieve growth. We’ve been through droughts, the Spanish Flu, world wars, the great depression, recessions, the GFC and now Covid. You could say ‘we are battle hardened’ and we are not about to let a virus dampen our prospects.”
Owned by Hamilton and his wife Jette, Leconfield Wines is the oldest family-owned wine making business in Australia. It is home of three South Australian wine labels – Leconfield Coonawarra, Richard Hamilton Wines and Syn Sparkling Wines.
