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HwCg gains distribution of Barramundi As of 14th March 2006, HwCg, part of the Neqtar group of companies, will gain sole distribution of the Evans & Tate Wine Group in the UK. Evans & Tate has had a connection with HwCg over a number of years, developing and distributing the range supplied to Marks & Spencer, and now believes that HwCg is best placed to take on its distribution exclusively. HwCg is planning a major relaunch of the Barramundi range at the 2006 LIWSF and will also be repositioning Evans & Tate as the Western Australian specialist focusing on the premium Evans and Tate Margaret River wines. Included in the deal is the acquisition, by Neqtar, of a Mildura based winery, owned by Evans & Tate. The winery has a 30,000 tonne capacity and is used for the production of a number of brands, including Barramundi. HwCg's Australian portfolio has increased dramatically since late 2005 when the company acquired Robert's Estate Winery in Victoria. HwCg is now in a position to source wines from Western Australia, through Evans & Tate, South Australia, through Geoff Merrill, and Victoria and New South Wales, through Robert's Estate, covering most of the major wine growing regions in Australia. Commenting on the development, Guy Young, CEO of Neqtar and MD of HwCg said: "We are delighted to be entering into this partnership with Evans & Tate. We are familiar with the wines and believe that the company has great potential in the UK market with both the premium Margaret River and Western Australian wines, in addition to the well-known Barramundi Furze and Young met in 1999 when their respective wine importing companies, Hedley Wright and Castle Growers, merged to form HwCg. Together they have made a significant impact on the UK wine market, developing a number of successful wine brands, particularly from France where premium burgundy brand, Blason de Bourgogne, has achieved sales of 100,000 cases last year. They now aim to extend their expertise to the development of Australian brands and drinks products outside wine, with specific interest in the burgeoning health drink sector. "At HwCg we are now in a position where we can access good quality Australian wines across regions, varietals and price points. We can offer strong brands, own label and exclusive parcels and we’re looking forward to getting our teeth into some serious brand building." -ends- Note to editors: Neqtar is a UK based wine and beverage company incorporating HwCg Limited and SdS Wine and Beverages (Australia). Neqtar develops and supplies wine fruit and vegetable products and brands to the global market. Through HwCg, Neqtar is a leading supplier to the British multiple retail and independent trade and supplies over 2.5 million cases of wine (9 litres) which represents 3 per cent of the UK off-trade. Through SdS, Neqtar supplies global beverage manufacturers with patented vegetable and juice products. Through Roberts Estate Wines, SdS produces and suppliers brands and own label wines to the domestic market, UK and Europe. SdS is the largest exporter of vegetable concentrates in the Southern Hemisphere. Evans & Tate is a leading Australian wine company which sells premium branded wines in over 35 countries around the world. Evans & Tate's brands include Redbrook, the Evans & Tate Margaret River range, Margaret River Classic, Oakridge, Gnangara, Salisbury and Barramundi.
Date: 9th March 2006
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