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Las Bodegas looks to grow its specialist Argentinian wine business with bigger team

Published:  13 September, 2013

Specialist Argentinian wine agency, Las Bodegas, is looking to expand its sales team so that it can better service its growing number of independent wine merchant and on-trade customers.

Laurie Webster, chief executive of Las Bodegas, confirmed to harpers.co.uk that it is looking for an extra sales person to look after independents and another to target its on-trade customers.

He said that after a period of consolidation the company was now seeing encouraging signs of growth and that it was time for it to invest.

"If we are to grow more we need to have a step change in the business that does not involve merging or bolting on another company," said Webster. "We need to be able to get out more and physically see the new customers we are taking on. We are getting new customers all the time."

He said Las Bodegas was currently bringing in a further 11 wines to its portfolio including a new partnership with Matias Michelini, who this week was named Gaucho's Young Winemaker of the Year, for his work at Finca Sophenia and Passionate Wines, and the acclaimed Demente wine. "We want to keep the range fresh and interesting."

Dominic Crolla, commercical director, said it was encouraging to see so much demand now from the independent sector for Argentinian wine. "The demand for Malbec is just picking up and up. Malbec has become a 'must have' on an independent's list."

In fact such was the demand that it was hard to find Malbecs in the market that were more than three years old. "Even a 2010 Malbec is considered quite old now," he said.

He added there was also more interest in Malbecs from different regions and that it was working hard to offer a range that showed real depth in style and diversity.

Other new wines to the range include a barrel fermented Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir under the Ben Marco range from Susana Balbo.

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