Winery reaches award finals

BY MICHAEL BERRY

Mount Riley Wines is the only wine company to make it to this year's New Zealand International Business Awards.

Mount Riley is one of seven finalists for the best small exporter (less than $10 million turnover) and is in the running for the supreme award.

The six other finalists in the category are Canary Enterprises,  Yacht Lifeline, Mobile Mentor,  Essential Resources Educational Publishers, Manuka Health New Zealand and Mobile Commerce.

The competition is run by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise with the private sector to recognise Kiwi companies excelling overseas.

Mount Riley Wines general manager Amy Murphy said it was the first time the company had entered the competition and she was "rapt" to be a finalist.

The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in Auckland on October 13.

"We're happy to make it and won't hold our breath, but we're hoping for the best," Mrs Murphy said.

A lot of Marlborough wineries were struggling with the rapid change in market conditions but Mount Riley was in good shape, she said.

"I can't say there is any silver bullet in terms of staying profitable, but it certainly has been a lot of hard work."

The family-owned company had a good range of skills in its management team, she said.

Her father and the company's managing director, John Buchanan, is an Auckland-based accountant, while Mrs Murphy has a background in law and husband Matt Murphy is viticulturist and head winemaker.

Mr Buchanan had been cautious in growing the business and had made sure it was not reliant on lending, Mrs Murphy said.

It was also well set up with good secondary labels that ensured the Mount Riley label was of the best quality. Fruit that did not make the cut for premium wine could be moved without having to use bulk wine, or lessening the main label's reputation, she said.

NZTE chief executive Peter Chrisp said the business award finalists were some of New Zealand's most innovative, nimble and determined exporters.

"The past two years have been challenging. But the mix of finalists shows that flexible approaches and an ability to seek out niche opportunities can bring rewards, even in tough times."

Read the full list of categories and finalists at www.nzte.govt.nz.

- The Marlborough Express