gt-wines

ASC Development

In the mid-1990s, Don St. Pierre Sr. and his son believed China’s wine importing industry had the potential to flourish. The opening of China’s economy and the rapid expansion in consumer income along with the limited production of wines in China, have all combined to prove ASC’s expectations. Since 1996 when ASC was first established, the company has developed beyond recognition from those early days.

Realizing the importance of the continued investment in ASC, and needing to grow its leading position in the rapidly growing China wine market, the St.Pierre’s invited Gernot Langes Swarovski (of Swarovski Crystal) to invest in the business.

At the end of 2009, one of the leading Asian beverage companies, Suntory Limited, based in Japan, successfully acquired all of the shares previously held by Mr. Swarovski, and they became the largest single shareholder in ASC. However, the management structure remained in place, and ASC will continue to play a leading role in the fine wine import and distribution development in the Greater China market (Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau).

In addition to a comprehensive wine portfolio, in 2001 ASC Fine Wines became the exclusive distributor in the Chinese on-trade market for the Austrian company, Riedel. Riedel is famous for its fine crystal glassware and wine decanters. In 2009, ASC also became the exclusive distributor of San Pellegrino and Acqua Panna, both natural mineral waters from Italy.

Experience

During the early years of ASC, imported wines were mostly sold into the 5-star International hotel groups. Now, ASC has turned into China’s leading wine distribution company with broad channel coverage.

ASC Fine Wines has seen substantial development of the company, as well as in the China wine market as a whole. Being based in China, ASC has acquired a deep understanding of the complex and diversified business environment of China.

Customer

ASC Fine Wines is indebted to the many customers we work with. The customer are from all different channels and cities across the country - hotels and restaurants, retail shops, supermarkets, wholesalers and individual consumers who are wine lovers etc..

Service and Education

ASC’s relentless focus on customer service is one of the main reasons why ASC has grown so significantly over the last 10 years. Orders are promptly delivered from one of our eight temperature-controlled warehouses in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Xiamen, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Hong Kong, and Macau. This ensures that ASC can deliver what the customers order, in excellent condition, and precisely when they need it.

ASC employs over 1,200 staff across the Greater China region - dedicated people who have significant knowledge about wine.

An important part of their job is to receive regular wine training. Throughout the course of each year many of our staff visit our brand owners wineries around the world and are trained directly by their winemakers. The producers and winemakers also come to visit China frequently, giving in-depth lectures to our staff and customers.

ASC Fine Wines was amongst one of the first companies in China to offer WSET (Wine & Spirits Education Trust) courses. WSET is a world renowned wine and spirits education institution.

ASC Fine Wines operates The Wine Residence in Shanghai and The Wine Galleries in Beijing and Hong Kong – these are high quality premium wine education and storage membership clubs.

Portfolio

As the corporate name suggests, ASC Fine Wines is a specialist in purveying some of the finest wines of the world. It represents over 1,200 wines from 14 countries, and is therefore able to offer consumers a comprehensive selection of premium fine wines.

ASC Fine Wines has been the long-term exclusive distribution partner for a portfolio consisting of over 100 wineries, which include well-known brands such as DBR Lafite, mainly from Bordeaux and Chile, Beringer Vineyards in Napa Valley, Kendall-Jackson in Sonoma County; Wolf Blass and Penfolds from South Australia; Gaja, Ruffino, Banfi from Italy; Louis Jadot from Burgundy; E.Guigal from the Rhone Valley, etc. For more information on all the iconic brands we represent please check the portofilo section of this website.

In addition to the exclusive wines above, ASC also has long-term relationships with some of the finest Chatueax owners from Bordeaux such as Chateau Lafite, Chateau Haut-Brion, Chateau Cos D’Estournel.