McWilliams moves distribution to Kingsland Wine & Spirits

Australian winemaker, McWilliam’s, has transferred distribution rights for its wines in the UK from the PLB group to Kingsland Wine & Spirits.

The decision follows the appointment of James Roberts as its UK sales director and its partnership with Weight Watchers® for its Harmony and essenze lower alcohol ranges.

Roberts said: “2014 will be another significant year for McWilliam’s with a comprehensive packaging revamp designed to further highlight the quality, heritage and family-owned nature of the brand.

“Working with the Legacy Wines agency side, and the Kingsland UK bottling business, will be integral to us taking this message out to their extensive and growing customer base.”

The deal will take effect from 1 February and will affect the UK market and will see McWilliam’s Foundation ranges (JJ McWilliam, Silverwood, Markview, Sunstone and Hayfield) and premium Hanwood Estate, Family and Flagship tiers become part of Legacy Wines, the agency business set up by Kingsland in 2012 after its purchase of Stratford’s.

McWilliam’s will also introduce their new Altitude and Appellation ranges in order to support Legacy’s regional offering for the on-trade and independent channels.

Rob Page, sales director at Kingsland Wine & Spirits, added: “We are naturally delighted to be working with McWilliam’s.

“The last 12 months have been significant for both of us, and the addition of a producer with such quality and heritage to our portfolio very much strengthens our proposition to the trade. We are very excited to work together to grow this brand to the size and scale it deserves in the UK market.”

Six generations of McWilliams have been involved with running the company since it was established by Samuel McWilliam in 1877.

Today, McWilliam’s wines are made from grapes produced at vineyards in wine regions across New South Wales including Riverina, Hilltops, Tumbarumba and Orange.