Hess signs UK deal with Liberty Wines

Hess Family Wine Estates has moved the UK distribution of its Australian Peter Lehmann Wines and Napa Hess Collection Winery to Liberty Wines.

David Gleave MW and managing director of Liberty Wines said he had wanted to sell Peter Lehmann wines since he first visited Australia’s Barossa Valley in February 1992.

He said: “It is a dream come true to add the Peter Lehmann wines to our portfolio and we intend to build on the premium position they hold in the UK market.

“We have long championed the quality, diversity and ‘sense of place’ offered by premium Australian wines, and believe that the Barossa and Eden Valley wines produced by Peter Lehmann are among the country’s greatest and most individual wines.”

Christoph Ehrbar, managing director of Hess Family Wine Estates, said: “Liberty Wines is doing a great job with Bodega Colomé, Amalaya and Glen Carlou so it makes sense to consolidate all our properties with the same importer, as we are increasingly doing on a global basis”.

The Peter Lehmann winery become part of the Hess Group, which was founded in 1978, when Lehmann sold the business in 2003.

This move to Liberty Wines will take effect from 1 October 2014.