Shanghai, 5 December 2023 – East Meets West Fine Wines (EMW) and Flowers Vineyards & Winery, a specialized boutique winery from Sonoma Coast, California, USA, signed an exclusive import and distribution agreement for Mainland of China. A further move towards EMW's environmentally friendly direction is taken with the addition of this new sustainable practice estate to its portfolio.
As nursery owners in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Walt and Joan Flowers had long dreamed of combining their love of wine with their passion for agriculture. In 1989, after many information-gathering trips to Napa and Sonoma, and among the first to see the potential for growing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay along the fog-shrouded Pacific Ocean, Walt and Joan purchased 321 acres high above the Pacific Ocean on the northern Sonoma Coast.
First planted in 1991, Camp Meeting Ridge is Flowers' flagship estate vineyard. Situated a mere two miles from the ocean at nearly 1,500 feet, its fruit combines elements of chilly coastal weather and mountain character. In 1998, Flowers recognized the potential of another remarkable site even closer to the water, so 43 acres of Sea View Ridge were planted almost entirely to Pinot Noir on undulating ridges at elevations ranging from 1,400 to 1,875 feet. Over the years, it has been their custom to make a single Pinot Noir that tells the story of their Sea View Ridge estate, a wild and diverse place.
Flowers Vineyards & Winery has continued to refine its understanding of its estate properties with each passing vintage, producing cool-climate varietals in a place uniquely suited to growing them.
Sonoma Coast & Sea View Ridge Vineyard
Situated on what is sometimes referred to as the "far" Sonoma Coast, Flowers' rugged, windswept vineyards represent extreme viticulture in the pursuit of crafting wines representative of time and place; the quality of this region's fruit is immeasurable. During the growing season, the abundance of sunshine on the ridge tops is moderated by the fog and cooler temperatures of the valleys and coastline below. These conditions create a long growing season that produces wines with refreshing acidity, pure fruit flavors, complex minerality and fine-grained tannins.
With a consistent pedigree of 90+ scores, as well as regular features in Wine & Spirits Magazine's 'Top of The List', Flowers Vineyards & Winery enjoys critical acclaim and continued momentum. Flowers' sustainable practices emphasize their approach as stewards of the land, resulting in healthier vines and higher-quality soils. The winery's commitment to stewardship along with its scientific farming practices have been unwavering constants of its winemaking philosophy since its inception. Today, Flowers produces world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from its two estate properties, Camp Meeting Ridge and Sea View Ridge, as well as select family-owned vineyards in the coolest regions of the Sonoma Coast AVA that share Flowers' farming philosophy.
Olivier Six, CEO, EMW Fine Wines
"We have been in contact with Flowers Vineyards & Winery for a long time, and we are happy to welcome them as a new sustainable winery partner to EMW. Its superior natural flavor and excellent quality have won us over, and we have no doubt that it will become a new, bright star in the Chinese market. Wines from sustainable vineyards are a big hit with Chinese customers, and Flowers has come at the perfect moment! We are eager to collaborate with Flowers to produce more thrilling events in the coming new year."
Chantal Forthun, Winemaker, Flowers Vineyards & Winery
"We are honored to partner with EMW on the much-anticipated launch of Flowers wines in China. For over thirty years, Flowers Vineyards & Winery has been a pioneer in crafting elegant, expressive, and sustainably-farmed Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from California's acclaimed Sonoma Coast. Each of our wines is a pure expression of this unique place. For Flowers, it was of the utmost importance to find a fine wine importer in China whose great renown is matched only by their dedication to championing family-owned wine estates who share our vision around sustainability and exceptional quality. In partnership with EMW, we look forward to growing the presence and prestige of Flowers Sonoma Coast wines with Chinese consumers."
Flowers Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Flowers Sea View Ridge Estate Pinot Noir
Flowers Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
EMW is a leading importer, distributor, and brand builder in the Greater China market, working closely with more than 110 family-owned and premium wine estates, sake breweries, and craft spirit producers from 16 countries worldwide. EMW has an unequaled distribution network to top restaurants, hotels, wine shops, online VIP customers, and an exclusive network of distribution covering over 160 cities in China. EMW has been awarded "Best Wine Importer" for 11 consecutive years since 2011 by China Sommeliers Wine Challenge and WINE100 Challenge.
Zoe ZHANG Brand Executive, Greater China
E-mail: zoe.zhang@emw-wines.com
Juanita YU Marketing Director, Greater China
Tel: +86 (21) 6282 4966/8020
E-mail: juanita.yu@emw-wines.com
Shanghai Office Address: Unit 202, No.664 Xinhua Road, Changning District, Shanghai
