Since the first bottle of Babich Wine was produced in 1916, the Babich Family has been known as a leader and innovator of the New Zealand wine industry. Now, almost 100-years later, they are gearing up to celebrate their centennial anniversary in 2016.
Preparations are in full swing to mark this milestone. Kicking off early next year, the multi-award winning brand will be running an international media and marketing campaign across New Zealand and all of their export markets. This campaign will incorporate an extensive global PR drive that will be supported by 100-year promotional activity, the release of limited edition wines and Babich hosted events in major cities around the world. Plans are also in place to give the Babich Cellar Door in Henderson Valley a facelift.
“The business has been the livelihood of three generations and is extremely successful both in New Zealand and globally,” says John Lang, Babich Wines Sales & Marketing Manager. “The New Zealand wine industry is often thought of as a young industry, so to be talking about 100 years of experience is quite significant. Babich Wines demonstrates ‘excellence through experience’ by producing quality wines that stand up to the very best the world has to offer.”
Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers, agrees that the centenary is an important milestone, not just for Babich but also for the New Zealand wine industry as a whole.
‘Babich Wines and generations of the Babich family are exemplars of all that has made New Zealand wine such an inspiring international success story,” says Philip. “From humble beginnings, with hard work, with enormous dedication and with great vision they have built a highly successful wine business. Their individual enterprise has always been coupled with unwavering service to the wider New Zealand wine industry, for which they are applauded and recognised by their peers.’
About Babich Wines:
Babich Wines was founded in 1916 when Josip Babich made his first New Zealand wine, selling it in cask and bottle under the name Babich Brothers. However, the story started long before that first wine was bottled. In 1910 fourteen-year-old Josip emigrated from Croatia to New Zealand to join his three brothers, who were earning a living digging and selling kauri gum in New Zealand's far north. In 1912 Josip planted his first vineyard on the terraces above the Kaikino Swamp gum field, and a few years later the first bottle of Babich Wines was created. In 1919 the Babich brothers moved to a new site in Henderson Valley, West Auckland (a property they had put a deposit on in 1911). This site became the family homestead and company headquarters (still in operation today).
Since then, Babich Wines has become an internationally awarded and respected brand. Josip’s legacy continues to guide the family company today. “A love of wine and family. A vision for the future and to produce nothing but excellence. To share and to enjoy – but these gains can only come from honest hard work, a care for the land and a care for the people. These are the things, we at Babich Wines, will never lose sight of”.
For more information visit www.babichwines.co.nz.
