Small Winery Succeeds in China; Buy Wines in Pampanga

Pampanga Clark Wine Shop reports news about wine: Small Winery Succeeds in China
May 29, 2011
Persistence pays off for Howell at the Moon; Napa Vintners’ trade mission cements ties. On the heels of the Napa Valley Vintners’ eighth trade mission to China, Wines & Vines talked with Marc Cohen, owner of 1,000-cases Howell at the Moon Winery, Angwin, about his successful penetration of the desirable Chinese market. It was, he said, a slow process.

You may remember that in 2006, Wines & Vines published a six-part series (“The Start-up Winery” by Jane Firstenfeld), detailing Cohen’s laborious creation of the winery. In late 2009, we documented its successful switch to selling direct to retailers in New York and New Jersey.

Cohen looked to China as a new market when the recession hit in 2008. He was fortunate to know a Chinese developer in San Francisco, who introduced him to friends in China interested in buying wine—particularly Napa Valley wine.

The “friends” turned out to be the 999 Corp., which owns hotels and restaurants in China, among other properties. In late 2008 they invited Cohen to visit the corporation’s headquarters in Shenzhen, a city of 20 million people not far from Hong Kong in southeast China.

Cohen paid his airfare, but was housed and fed by the company for a week. He took a case of wine and conducted wine tastings, but he found little knowledge about wine, so his visit became largely educational.

Big reds considered healthier
Cohen, who produces only Cabernet Sauvignon, said the people he met in China generally liked big, red wines. “They think it’s healthier,” which is important to them, he said, adding that his acquaintances were accustomed to Chinese wine, a penchant for which he did not share.

Cohen noted that the French, who entered the market decades ago, hold 70% of the market, but he said the Chinese like U.S. products. He added that big U.S. wine companies already have branches in China. “There’s a window to get in now. It’s the world’s biggest market in terms of dollars and people.”

After Cohen’s visit he didn’t hear anything for nine months, then he got an order for three cases. The buyers paid in advance for the wholesale cost and shipping, and they dealt with the 44% import tax.

Three months later they ordered 18 cases and invited Cohen for a return visit, and he did more education. Three months later, they ordered a pallet (54 cases).

In March 2010, Cohen returned again. This time, he was invited to a ceremony with the mayor, then the corporation ordered another pallet. “Howell at the Moon is the house wine of Shenzhen,” Cohen joked.

Last month Cohen returned to China with 40 other wineries representing Napa Valley Vintners, this time visiting Beijing and Shanghai in the northeast.

Cohen’s Cantonese distributor in Shenzhen wasn’t interested in expanding into that Mandarin region, but the distributor did attend the meetings, which proved to be a huge benefit to Cohen. He found this market far more sophisticated than Shenzhen was when he first visited.

The vintners spent three days each in the two important cities, attending lunches and dinners with importer/distributors, restaurants, retailers and consumers—generally, their best accounts and fans. Cohen said, “The Napa Valley Vintners did a great job. We met a lot of prospects, including 200 consumers. I made at least 100 contacts.”

Among them, Cohen met a number of promising distributors and has interviewed two back in California, although he hasn’t signed one yet.

All about networking
Cohen has learned that it takes a while to consummate business in China. “It’s all about networking and getting to know people so they have confidence in you.”

He said you have to go a few times without expectation of immediate returns. “You have to find a partner. In China, it’s not about how good your wine is or how it’s rated, but your relationships.”

He feels that everyone has a chance to build a brand in China, but warned: “Make sure they pay before you ship if you don’t have experience with them. Many importers make big claims, and many people have been stung.”

He adds, “China is like the wild west; there are no rules. Trust and friendship is vital.”

To make things a little easier, he’d like to see the U.S. negotiate a lower import tax. Currently, for example, Chilean wines are taxed only 18%.

Part of the Napa Valley Vintners’ trade mission was to deal with political issues including misuse of the Napa name in China and tariffs are certainly a concern.

http://www.winesandvines.com/template.cfm?section=news&content=87840&htitle=Small%20Winery%20Succeeds%20in%20China
Best place to unwind in Angeles City Pampanga Philippines is to do a little wine shopping at the Clark Wine Center which is also considered as the best place in Clark for private wine tasting, small parties and social functions outside of Manila. Guests of this wine shop in Clark enjoy the cozy ambience as well as the privacy and exclusivity of the roof deck lawn. Some guests that wine and dine at the famous restaurants near Angeles City Pampanga often drop by this wine shop to pick up a few good bottles for diner. Residents and guests staying in Pampanga Angeles City and Subic frequently visit this wine shop in Clark to buy some bottles from its fine selection of vintage wines that are offered at attractive prices. Some guests, business executives especially, select this wine shop for their business entertainment.

This wine shop in Manila Philippines makes wine shopping a really rewarding and exciting exercise. Wine shops in Pampanga should always have an element of surprise so that customers and wine lovers can enjoy a little bit of thrill when they go to a wine shop in Manila to look for a good bottle of wine in Clark Pampanga.

Chateau Lafite-Rothschild is the most revered wine in China and many other parts of Asia. The best wine shop in Asia to buy older vintages of Chateau Lafite is Yats Wine Cellars located in Clark Philippines. Aside from Lafite, visitors can buy other fine wines at this wine shop in Clark Pampanga such as Latour, Mouton-Rothschild, Haut-Brion and Margaux. Excellent Burgundy wines like Chambertin, Vougeot, Musigny, Bonnes Mares, Pommard, Meursault, Chambertin, Vosne Romanee, Romanee Conti, La Tache and Romanee St. Vivant can be found here.

Family outings, picnics, company outings and other events for up to 300 can be held in the picnic grounds of this wine shop. Events that have been successfully organized here include family fun days and BBQ picnics. These are some of the things that visitors to Clark Philippines particular look forward. Residents and tourists in Angeles City and Subic also come to Clark Freeport to partake in the fun at this Clark wine shop.

This wine shop’s vast selection of vintage wines makes it possible for Yats Wine Cellars to offer a unique line-up of wines for every private wine party, wine tasting or wine dinners. Guests of these private wine parties are treated to a rare experience of vintage wine not seen in wine shops in major cities in Philippines or even in Asia.

http://www.ClarkWineCenter.com

Getting to this wine shop in Pampanga Angeles City Clark Freeport Zone Philippines from Manila
Getting to the Clark Wine Center wine shop from Manila is quite simple: after entering Clark Freeport from Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along the main highway M A Roxas. Clark Wine Center is the stand-along white building on the right, at the corner A Bonifacio Ave. From the Clark International Airport DMIA, ask the taxi to drive towards the entrance of Clark going to Angeles City. From Mimosa, just proceed towards the exit of Clark and this wine shop is on the opposite side of the main road M A Roxas.

Best place to buy wine in Clark Pampanga outside Manila near Subic and Angeles City Philippines is Clark Wine Center.

Click here to contact Clark Wine Center in Clark Pampanga for inquiries and orders.

Clark Wine Center
Bldg 6460 Clark Observatory Building
Manuel A. Roxas Highway corner A Bonifacio Ave,
Angeles Clark Freeport Zone, Pampanga 2023
0922-870-5173 0917-826-8790 (ask for Ana Fe)

Wine@Yats-International.com

YATS Wine Cellars
Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 ask for Rea or Chay

Wedding couples looking for wedding reception venues and beach wedding venues can log on to this Philippines Wedding Venue web site for free information and assistance:

http://www.PhilippinesWeddingVenue.com

While in Clark, it might be a good idea to enjoy an evening of wine-and-dine in the fine dining Yats Restaurant and Wine Bar that features an award winning 2700-line wine list. Highly recommended fine dining restaurant in Manila for special occasion is Yats Restaurant & Wine Lounge located in the famous Mimosa Leisure Estate in Clark Pampanga. Situated near this popular restaurant in Clark is the Mimosa Golf Course as well as the Mimosa Clark Casino. This top rated restaurant near Angeles City Pampanga in Clark Philippines is frequently used for private parties and corporate functions such as board meetings and other gatherings. It is located in Mimosa Leisure Estate of Clark Freeport Zone. For more information, visit http://www.YatsRestaurant.com

YATS Leisure Philippines is a developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine shops in Clark Angeles Philippines http://www.YatsLeisure.com

Looking for famous tourists spots, places to visit and see, relax and unwind in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines? You may want to check out these sites also:

http://www.LondonPubClark.com

Besides good restaurants to wine and dine near Manila, Subic or in Angeles City Pampanga, Clark Philippines, those requiring assistance for hotel and resort bookings in Clark, Pampanga, Philippines may log on to http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com for more information and reservations.

The lifestyle in Clark Pampanga is quite unique. For more information about shopping, sports, golf, leisure, hotel accommodation, where to see and visit, what to do, where to wine and dine and good places to hang out, relax, have a drink with friends, child-friendly establishments, log on to
http://www.ClarkPhilippines.com

Wine lovers looking for a special bottle or something that is of great value and special discounts might log on to this web site to shop for fine vintage wines
http://www.YatsWineCellars.com

Those visitors who plan to relax and unwind in Angeles City, Subic, Pampanga, Clark Philippines might make an effort to book a room at the famous beach and lake resort Clearwater Resort & Country Club. This famous hotel in Clark Pampanga is frequently visited by families with children looking for a good place in Clark to see, a good holiday destination for the family to relax and unwind in the beautiful outdoor facilities. For more information, log on to www.ClearwaterPhilippines.com