Calabria Family Wines has acquired the Australian distribution of popular Italian prosecco brand, Canti, taking over the importing, sales and marketing of the brand from Accolade Wines.

The deal starts this week and Calabria said it is hoping to bring Canti’s distinct Italian flair and style to the booming prosecco market in Australia.

“This is our first shot into the distribution of wines outside of the Calabria Family Wines brand and we can’t think of a better business to be working with than Canti,” third-generation Sales & Marketing Manager Andrew Calabria said.

“We’ve had great success in the category with our own branded products. We first planted prosecco in the Riverina in 2013 and were the first Australian winery to launch a prosecco spritz in the domestic market with our Bevi range. We have also been importing an Italian Prosecco DOC since 2011 under our Calabria Private Bin range.

“Welcoming Canti to the Calabria portfolio is a natural progression for us to grow our footprint in the category and gives us exciting opportunities to expand our network and customer relationships.”

Canti is owned by Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi spa, one of the largest Italian family-run winemakers, and since being introduced in 2001 the brand has grown its distribution to more than 50 countries.

In 2016, Canti was the best-selling prosecco brand in the world, selling around 12 million bottles. In 2017 it increased its sales to 20 million bottles.

“We see tremendous potential in partnering with the Calabria family in Australia. Like us, they are a multi-generational family business, with a rich Italian heritage. Their understanding of the market and the category gives us confidence that Canti will continue its global success as a leading prosecco label,” Canti’s Gianni Martini said.

“Canti is simply more than an Italian prosecco, it’s a celebration of the Italian spirit which Australians have come to love and appreciate through cuisine, travel and style. We look forward to a long and exciting partnership in this market with the Calabria family.”

Calabria Family Wines will initially focus on a core portfolio of the Canti Prosecco D.O.C. Millesimato 750ml and 200ml format and the brand’s new Canti Prosecco D.O.C. Bio Organi, before looking to introduce more wines in the Canti range to Australia, including its Estate Barbera D’Asti and Estate Pinot Grigio.

“Canti currently has a strong on premise footprint in Australia, which we will continue to grow as we also look to expand the brand’s retail presence. Our goal is to open up the entire Canti portfolio in Australia as the wines are exceptional and reflect truly great Italian winemaking,” Calabria said.

Andy Young

Andy joined Intermedia as Editor of The Shout in 2015, writing news on a daily basis and also writing features for National Liquor News. Now Managing Editor of both The Shout and Bars and Clubs.

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