Mentzendorff is pleased to announce new exclusive agency partnerships with two prestigious producers: Akitu of Central Otago and Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona of Montalcino. These two highly acclaimed producers will sit within a portfolio of the world’s finest family owned producers of Champagne, wines, fortified wines and spirits; and more specifically will complement & strengthen the company’s New Zealand and Italian ranges.

With regards to Mentzendorff’s approach to new agency acquisition Managing Director, Andrew Hawes had the following to say “Taking on a new agency is always a major decision, we take our time and choose our exclusive partners carefully, looking for family owned producers who share our values and will fit naturally into our focused portfolio. Our approach has evolved in that we are finding success by developing strengths in specific areas of the market and we have found that representing complementary Estates in South Africa (Klein Constantia & Hamilton Russell) and in Australia (Chapoutier, Kilikanoon, Turkey Flat & Tapanappa) is working increasingly well for us. Therefore Akitu will sit comfortably alongside The Crossings from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough and Ciacci Piccolomini joins Fertuna (from the Maremma).”

Akitu was founded by Andrew Donaldson (a local man) in 2001. Set in the heart of Central Otago’s Wanaka sub region, the 12-hectare vineyard sits alone at 380 metres above sea level on a stunning north facing slope, in the southern most winemaking region on earth. The vineyard is entirely dedicated to Pinot Noir, block planted from 6 carefully selected clones that produce Akitu’s two wines: ‘A1’ and ‘A2’.

Andrew Hawes adds: “We are particularly excited about the quality of the Pinot Noir from Akitu, we believe in the region’s ability to produce exceptional Pinot Noir, a variety which lies particularly close to our hearts due to its deep connection to the Bollinger family group”.

From the depths of Central Otago to the rolling Tuscan Hills, Ciacci Piccolomini d’Aragona is regarded as one of the great Brunello di Montalcino producers. The estate traces its roots back to the 17th century. The Ciacci family owned the estate for over a hundred years until in 1985 the countess Elda Ciacci bequeathed the property to her long-standing estate manager, Giuseppe Bianchini. The Montalcino estate is now run by Giuseppe’s son and daughter, Paolo and Lucia.

Located in the south east of the Montalcino region near the beautiful medieval village of Castelnuovo dell’Abate, the estate extends over 220 hectares of which 53 are in vine and 40 in olive groves on the rolling Tuscan hills bordered by Arna hill and the Orcia River.