Damien Mori joins the Australian sales team at Oatley Fine Wine Merchants (OFWM) while their US arm, Robert Oatley Vineyards, sells import business Pacific Highway Wines.
As of yesterday, Melbourne-based Mori is the new National Sales Director (on-premise) at OFWM, bringing a wealth of experience in the drinks industry to the position.
Over the past 20 years, Mori has worked primarily for Lion, most recently as Customer Director – Sales Execution, having previously held the roles of National Field Sales Director, Regional Sales Director – QLD and Regional Sales Director – Victoria.
Anthony Roberts, CEO of OFWM, said Mori’s experience would be an asset to OFWM’s fast-growing business as Australia’s leading privately owned distributor of independently owned wineries.
“Damien brings extensive experience to our fast-growing business. He will play a pivotal role in our continued investment in building the business and delivering ongoing growth for our portfolio of independently owned wineries. Damien brings a wealth of skills across business development, customer management and team development,” said Roberts.
Meanwhile, in the US, OFWM-owned Robert Oatley Vineyards and 50/50 partner Giesen Group have agreed to sell Pacific Highway Wines to Opici Wines and Spirits.
Pacific Highway Wines was a highly successful import business that tripled the size of its portfolio over the past five years and, in 2022, was awarded Importer of the Year by Wine Enthusiast Magazine.
With a portfolio showcasing family-owned and independent brands from coveted wine regions across the globe, Pacific Highway Wines’s premium brands were sources from Argentina, Australia, California, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Oregon, Spain and Uruguay.
Mark Giordano, President of Pacific Highway Wines/Opici Wines and Spirits, said: “Pacific Highway Wines had been poised for large-scale growth, and we opted to partner to take our brands to the next level at a much faster pace.
“We share a like-minded approach to the wine business with the Opici family and great camaraderie. Joining forces is a win-win for both sides of our businesses and each of the brands we represent. We are incredibly excited for this next chapter together,” he said.
In an internal company memorandum, Don Opici, CEO of Opici Wines and Spirits, said the acquisition is a strategic move allowing Opici Wines to add resources to their company to drive national growth.
“Bringing the Pacific Highway Wines family into our Opici family business provides the opportunity to add resources to support national account and local sales efforts across the country.
“The multi-generational wine brands, luxury offerings, and innovative non-alcohol premium wines coming into our portfolio are spectacular. Together our portfolio sets us apart as one of the most coveted, family-centric importers in the US today,” he said.
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