China wine moves: Links Concept says Antinori, Haras de Pirque to join portfolio

Update: Summergate reports it has added winery Tasca d’Almerita from Sicily to its distribution portfolio and that it will add more Italian wines, particularly from Tuscany and Piedmont.

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Italian wine label Antinori will part ways with long-term China distribution partner Summergate and join the portfolio at Links Concept as of April 1, according to management at Links. Word is that Links will handle the account for continental China, Hong Kong and Macau both for Antinori and for Antinori-partnered Chilean brand Haras de Pirque, also from the Summergate portfolio. I sent an email to Summergate re this but have yet to hear back.

The move would be the latest involving Summergate and big-name brands. In just over a year, these include parting ways with DBR Lafite, as that account moved to ASC Fine Wines, picking up Gerard Bertrand from East Meets West (China) and Montrose (Hong Kong), and expanding distribution of Concha Y Toro in China by picking up the Hong Kong account from Links. Summergate expanded its offices to Hong Kong in 2009 with Antinori as a key account.

Expanding to Hong Kong: Summergate scores Antinori account

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