Delegat's targets North America

 Delegat’s Group says its strategic goal over the next ten years is to build a leading “super-premium” wine company, based on its New Zealand and Australian operations.

North America would be a prime target to generate new sales and help to build Delegat's future.

Managing director Jim Delegat says highlights of the company’s 2013 operations include a rise in case sales of 5.2 per cent to 1,946,000 cases of wine.

Sales revenue was up by 5.2 per cent to $222 million and its net profit after tax was up 2.7 per cent to $26.3 million.

The group’s 2013 vintage yielded 28,884 tonnes, 4 per cent up on target yields and 42 per cent up on the previous year.

Delegat’s Group acquired 400 hectares of land and productive vineyards during the year, with 371 hectares in Marlborough.

The group increased its land holding in Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels to 160 hectares and the group’s New Zealand supply area now stands at 2637 planted hectares, including growers’ land.

Delegat’s 2013 investment in New Zealand assets totalled $47.4 million and $28.6 million was spent on the Barossa Valley Estate acquisition. Further capital expenditure of $132 million is planned over three years.

Sales revenue and operating net profit after tax had grown tenfold over the last decade.