International sales drive Zamora’s turnover growth

International sales were the driving force behind drinks giant Zamora’s growth last year, with a 16% rise in turnover to €196 million (£175.27 million).

Just over 43% of Zamora’s 2018 sales were from outside Spain, compared with 34% five years ago, according to the group’s latest results.

Zamora, which owns wine brands Ramón Bilbao and Mar de Frades as well as Martin Miller’s Gin, earned the majority of its sales from spirits, which contributed to 58% of its overall turnover last year.

The company, according to an emailed statement, is on-track to close 2019 with a turnover of €215 million.

Last year Zamora struck a partnership with vodka-maker Old Nassau Imports to form a new sales and marketing venture in the US — Zamora Company USA — which will “bring together their collection of unique luxury brands.”

In January 2018, it acquired a 55% stake in Martin Miller’s gin, continuing a series of acquisitions that also included polka-dotted sangria brand Lolea, US whiskey Yellow Rose and Villa Massa Limoncello.

The Spanish drinks giant also bought a majority stake in Shanghai-based wine and spirits distributor Tintafina last June, giving it direct access to the Chinese market.

The company recently said it expects its sales to reach €256 million by 2020.

Emilio Restoy, the company’s chief executive, said that although this export growth demonstrated that senior management “have been doing things well…we must be cautious about what comes next.

“We have made a great effort and now we want to consolidate our strategy and our brands in these new markets; to establish the pillars of what Zamora Company will be in the medium and long term.”