Calabria Family Wines (CFW) has acquired the Australian distribution business for Italian prosecco brand Canti from Accolade Wines. CFW will take over the Australian import, sales, and marketing of the family-owned and operated Canti.
CFW sales and marketing manager Andrew Calabria said it was the company’s first distribution deal outside of its own brand. He said: “We can’t think of a better business to be working with than Canti. We’ve had great success in the category with our own branded products and welcoming Canti to the Calabria portfolio is a natural progression for us to grow our footprint in the category.”
Calabria planted prosecco in the Riverina region in 2013 and was the first Australian winery to launch a prosecco spritz in the domestic market with its Bevi range.
“We have also been importing an Italian Prosecco DOC since 2011 under our Calabria Private Bin range,” Calabria said.
Canti was first introduced in 2001 by founder Gianni Martini, the second-generation wine entrepreneur of the Fratelli Martini Secondo Luigi spa – one of the largest family-run Italian winemakers – founded in 1947.
It was exported to the UK in 2002 and is now distributed to 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.
Martini said: “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.”
CFW 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 Organic.
It is looking to introduce more Canti wines to Australia, including its Estate Barbera D’Asti and Estate Pinot Grigio.
Calabria said: “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.”
