Australian winery Cape Mentelle is seeking to expand its presence in the UK with the launch of two more ranges.
The Marmaduke and Heritage lines join the Marri range that Cape Mentelle launched in the UK last year.
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The business, owned by Australia’s Endeavour Group, also sells the 16 Hectares range in the UK, marketing the wines to on-trade customers.
There are four wines in the Marmaduke line – a Chardonnay, a Semillon Sauvignon Blanc, a Cabernet Sauvignon and a Shiraz, each priced at £20 ($26.85).
The Heritage range consists of two Margaret River wines – a Chardonnay and a Cabernet Sauvignon. Both carry a recommended retail price of about £45.
The wines are being distributed in the UK through Bancroft Wines.
David Moulton, chief of winemaking and viticulture at Cape Mentelle, told Just Drinks the Marmaduke range was created “specifically for UK independent retailers, offering retailers access to premium Margaret River wines at a retail price below £20”.
He added: “By creating ranges tailored to specific routes to market, the winery can better meet the needs and demand of both trade partners and consumers while maintaining clear positioning across different retail channels. Importantly, the Marmaduke range will be exclusive to the independent sector and will not be available through supermarkets, giving merchants a clear point of differentiation.”
Last month, Endeavour Group, which acquired Cape Mentelle from LVMH in 2023, unveiled a restructure of its Pinnacle Drinks business as it looks to cut costs and trim its premium wine range.
As part of the changes, Endeavour will seek a new owner for the Oakridge wine brand and operation in the Yarra Valley.
As part of the overhaul, Endeavour plans to exit or sell non-core winery and agricultural assets. It is also wants to consolidate its winery operations from seven to three “strategically important” sites.
The group will retain Cape Mentelle, the Isabel Estate in New Zealand’s Marlborough region and the Dorrien Estate in South Australia’s Barossa Valley.
