Calabria Family Wines has been announced as the new Australian distributor of one of the world’s best-selling Italian prosecco brands, Canti.
The deal sees the family-owned winery take over the Australian import, sales, and marketing of the family-owned and operated Canti from Accolade Wines.
As a third-generation Italian-Australian wine business, Calabria Family Wines said it is looking forward to bringing the brand’s distinct Italian style to the booming prosecco market in Australia.
“This is our first shot into the distribution of wines outside of the Calabria Family Wines brand and we can’t think of a better business to be working with than Canti,” Sales & Marketing Manager Andrew Calabria (above) said.
“We’ve had great success in the category with our own branded products. We first planted prosecco in the Riverina in 2013 and were the first Australian winery to launch a prosecco spritz in the domestic market with our Bevi range. We have also been importing an Italian Prosecco DOC since 2011 under our Calabria Private Bin range.
“Welcoming Canti to the Calabria portfolio is a natural progression for us to grow our footprint in the category and gives us exciting opportunities to expand our network and customer relationships.”
Canti was first introduced in 2001 by founder Gianni Martini, the renowned second-generation wine entrepreneur of the Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi spa – one of the largest Italian family-run winemakers founded in 1947.
It was introduced in the UK market in 2002 and since then has grown its distribution to more than 50 countries.
In 2016, Canti was the best-selling prosecco brand in the world, selling around 12 million bottles. In 2017 it increased its sales to 20 million bottles.
“We see tremendous potential in partnering with the Calabria family in Australia,” Canti’s Gianni Martini said.
“Like us, they are a multi-generational family business, with a rich Italian heritage. Their understanding of the market and the category gives us confidence that Canti will continue its global success as a leading prosecco label.
“Canti is simply more than an Italian prosecco, it’s a celebration of the Italian spirit which Australians have come to love and appreciate through cuisine, travel and style. We look forward to a long and exciting partnership in this market with the Calabria family.”
Calabria Family Wines will initially focus on a core portfolio of the Prosecco D.O.C. Millesimato 750ml and 200ml format and the brand’s new Canti Prosecco D.O.C. Bio Organic. It is looking to introduce more wines in the range to Australia, including its Estate Barbera D’Asti and Estate Pinot Grigio.
“Canti currently has a strong on premise footprint in Australia, which we will continue to grow as we also look to expand the brand’s retail presence. Our goal is to open up the entire portfolio in Australia as the wines are exceptional and reflect truly great Italian winemaking,” Calabria said.
The distribution deal commences this week. Interested customers should contact their local area manager or the Calabria Sales Team at 02 6969 0800 or info@calabriawines.com.au
