Pelican Brands & Marisco Vineyards of New Zealand Announce a Long Term Strategic Partnership for the US Market

CARMEL, Ind., Nov. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Pelican Brands and Marisco Vineyards jointly announced today the formation of a long term strategic partnership for the U.S. market. Brent Marris, the winemaking creator of Oyster Bay and later Wither Hills of New Zealand, created Marisco Vineyards in 2003. Marisco Vineyards, set in perhaps the most beautiful place on Earth in the Waihopai Valley of Marlborough, New Zealand, has two primary brands, The Kings Series and The Ned.

The Kings Series range of wines were launched in NZ October 2009 and are a celebration of Brent's family heritage dating back to the 12th and 13th Century in the United Kingdom on a small island in the Bristol Channel - Lundy Island. Each wine in the range tells a story about Brent's ancestors, the de Mariscos, and their tempestuous relationship with the English Monarchy.

The range includes a Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Noble Sauvignon Blanc, and in the first 6 months of launch the brand has already received accolades, with the King's Favour Sauvignon Blanc picking up a gold medal at the New Zealand Royal Easter Show, and has been selected on the AIR New Zealand Business Class in-flight wine list.

Targeted at restaurants and fine wine stores, this range of wines are true examples of the quality flavors derived from our special vineyard site.

The Ned range is a celebration of Brent's childhood. Named after the highest peak of the iconic range of hills in Marlborough - the Wither Hills - Brent wanted to create a range of wines that epitomize Marlborough and celebrate the three varieties that Marlborough does best - Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir.

The Ned range since its inception has become recognized as a leading brand from Marlborough in the UK, Northern Ireland, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Recent accolades include a Blue Gold Medal at the 2009 Sydney Top 100, selection on KLM Royal Airlines and AIR New Zealand in-flight wine lists and our young winemaker Liam McElhinney being nominated for Australasian Young Winemaker of the Year.

Brent Marris, Proprietor and Winemaker of Marisco Vineyards said, "We have looked long and hard at the various options for entering the U.S. market. We had many importers approach us to bring the Ned and Kings Series into America. Our patience has paid off as we have found our long term partner in Pelican Brands. Their team has just the right entrepreneurial attitude, aggressive sales organization and long term thinking to fit perfectly with Marisco's long term strategy. I look forward to working with Smoke and the whole Pelican Team, brokers and distributors to make our launch a huge success in 2011."

J. Smoke Wallin, Chairman & CEO of Pelican Brands said, "We are honored to partner with Brent and his team in launching the Ned and Kings Series Wines in the US market. Marisco's Ned Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris are ranked #2 over $15 in NZ market, after only 4 years in the market. These wines deliver such amazing value to consumers we are confident our trading partners, distributors and retailers will concur and support their rollout in 2011."

Over the past year, Pelican Brands has developed a 50 state distribution platform through all the major distribution networks in beer and spirits and wine. With an unparalleled national account on premise and retailer network, Pelican Brands is going directly to the customers who enable brands to get to consumers. This unique platform enables Pelican Brands to bring innovative, consumer friendly brands to market more rapidly than anyone else in the beverage industry.

Wallin continued, "This is Pelican Brands' first announced wine brand. We have assembled an incredible portfolio of world-class wines that we will be announcing in the coming weeks. Marisco Vineyards is the perfect partner with which to launch Pelican Brands' Global wine program."

About Marisco Vineyards

Brent and Rosemary Marris started their new brand Marisco Vineyards in 2003 when Brent discovered a magnificent 260ha property in the Waihopai Valley of Marlborough. After several years of development the 260ha vineyard is producing close on 200,000 cases and is fast becoming one of New Zealand's renowned Marlborough wineries/brands.

February 2009 saw ground broken on the site of the new 6,000 tonne winery and the 2010 vintage saw the first crush in the new winery.

Brent is one of New Zealand's renowned winemakers, and when creating his new company he was determined to have complete control from vine to bottle - the construction of his new winery set amongst the vines on the Waihopai Valley property ensures that the wines produced are premium quality, exhibiting flavors and aromas that are synonymous with what has made Marlborough, and indeed Brent's, wines popular worldwide. www.marisco.co.nz

About Pelican Brands

Pelican Brands manages a portfolio of owned and agency premiere import & craft beers, artisanal spirits and fine wines. Pelican Brands' team and partners have extensive experience in the global beverage and consumer packaged goods industries. Pelican Brands is headquartered in Carmel, IN, has offices in the United Kingdom and a sales team covering the U.S. market and select international markets. www.pelican-brands.com

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SOURCE Pelican Brands