Tasmanian whites woo South Korea
Josef Chromy Wines has partnered with Choix Trading to launch in South Korea’s on-trade sectors. Rebecca Lo looks into why this partnership signals a broader shift in the north Asian country’s market.
South Korean on-trade professionals keen on premium white wines will welcome the news that Tasmanian winery Josef Chromy Wines is entering the market.
The Australian state’s cool climate characteristics sparked interest in South Korea following events including the Wine of Tasmania on 1 December 2025. To capitalise upon this momentum, Josef Chromy Wines worked with Choix Trading to launch a collection targeting leading Korean sommeliers and hospitality venues through selective listings and engagement.
The South Korean collection features Josef Chromy Riesling 2024; Chardonnay 2024; Pinot Noir 2024; Sparkling Cuvée NV; Sparkling Rosé NV; and Zdar Chardonnay 2024.
Founded by transplanted Czech native Josef Chromy in 2007, the estate boasts a 61-hectare vineyard sited at an altitude between 81 and 170 metres in Tasmania’s Tamar Valley. Employing minimal intervention methods to preserve the nature of the grapes, the winery’s signature sparkling cuvées and rosés boast delicate citrus and fruit notes.
A focus on quality and terroir
A subsidiary of established distributor Avec Wine, Seoul and Busan-based Choix Trading is a boutique importer recently established to concentrate on higher-end vintages for on-trade channels. Though new to South Korea, it has already garnered a reputation for its openness to emerging wine markets and categories.
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For Choix Trading, the partnership with Josef Chromy Wines echoes its direction to create a portfolio to address the aspirations of South Korea’s hospitality sector. It paves the way towards underscoring wider recognition of Tasmania as a world-class wine region on trend with the prevailing cool climate preferences for white wines.
“Josef Chromy Wines represents the type of high quality, terroir-driven estate we are committed to introducing to South Korea’s on-trade market,” said Taeho Choi, CEO with Choix Trading. “We look forward to building the brand with our on-trade partners and sharing Tasmania’s distinctive cool climate style with the Korean hospitality sector.”
Uncorking South Korea’s potential
“South Korea is an increasingly important market for premium Australian wines,” said Yael Sandler, winemaker with Josef Chromy Wines. “We see strong long term potential for Tasmanian wines in Asia, particularly as interest grows in elegant styles that pair well with contemporary cuisine.”
“This partnership reflects a broader shift we are seeing in the South Korean market,” said Sarah Soo-Kyung Henriet, Nimbility’s head of South Korea and brand strategist working with Josef Chromy Wines and Choix Trading.
“Tasmania remains an under-explored region for many trade buyers. Josef Chromy offers both pedigree and a compelling regional story, while Choix Trading brings a focused strategy for developing premium wines with Korea’s on-trade sector.”
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