In a sponsorship coup worth around half a million pounds, Raisin Social’s best-selling South African wine brand, Goiya will be the exclusive wine sponsor across England’s seven test match grounds this summer. The exciting two-year package assures Goiya a major branded presence at each of the test grounds, including all domestic and international cricket matches up to and including The Ashes in 2005.
Cricket fans will be able to enjoy Goiya’s wines which will be served at each of the grounds including Lord’s, The Oval, Headingley, Trent Bridge, Old Trafford, Edgbaston and Chester-le-Street, this summer. The agreement follows last year’s successful sponsorship of the test match series which coincided with the South African cricket tour to England.
Raisin Social’s Marketing Director, Patrick Halliday, comments, 'The South African cricket tour last year was an ideal vehicle for us to promote the Goiya brand in the UK. We feel it is a natural progression for us to extend the relationship for a further two seasons, making Goiya the first wine of cricket. With its huge appeal as the UK’s favourite summer game, Goiya makes the perfect cricket match'.
England’s rivals this year are New Zealand and the West Indies, with matches planned throughout the summer. Last year saw nearly 800 hours of cricket coverage on Channel 4 and Sky Sports; this year’s matches will be broadcast live again on Sky TV and Channel 4 as well as internationally, including South Africa. There will also be extensive radio coverage on Radio Four and Five Live.
A new look and taste for Goiya The Goiya range has just undergone a complete revamp. The result is a striking new look reflecting the freshness and vibrancy of the wines. Timed to coincide with the release of Goiya’s 2004 vintage white wines, the new packaging will be on the shelves this summer.
Distribution for the Goiya range in the UK is second-to-none, with listings in major retailers such as Tesco, Safeway/Morrisons, Majestic, Nisa Today, Spar, Costcutter, T&S Stores and the Co-op (Goiya’s distribution will be increased to cover the whole of the Co-op estate this summer). Brand new listings for Goiya include Budgens, Wine Cellar and Booze Buster.
The Goiya range includes a Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc, Colmbard/Chardonnay, Shiraz/Pinotage, Ruby Cabernet/Pinotage and Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, which retail at between £3.99-£4.99. Following consumer research, the Goiya blends have been enhanced in response to the needs of the UK consumer’s palate.
Westcorp International, which produces the Goiya brand, is the result of the merger in November 2002 between Vredendal and Spruitdrift in the Olifants River. With an annual production of nearly 100,000 tonnes of grapes, Westcorp is one of the largest wine producers in the world and one of South Africa’s most prominent wine exporters (around a third of its wines are sold outside the Cape). This innovative company also produces brands such as Namaqua and Inanda Brut, both widely available in the UK.
Issued by: Katharine O’Callaghan
Contact: Patrick Halliday, Marketing Director, Raisin Social
Tel: 020 86868500
Email: patrick@raisin-social.com
Website: www.raisin-social.com or www.welshpoolwine.co.uk
Callaghan Communications
Tel: 01425 629988
Email: ko@callaghancomms.co.uk