Marketing chief at New Zealand Winegrowers to take over helm at Austrian Wine

The marketing director of New Zealand Winegrowers is to take over the reins from his Austrian counterpart at the Austrian Wine Marketing Board.  

Chris Yorke, who has been with New Zealand Winegrowers since 2004, is to take over from Willi Klinger who has been at the helm of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board for the past 12 years.   Yorke will take over from Klinger in January 2020 but will start his induction phase this October.  

“We have brought on board a leading international wine manager, who has for the past 15 years, as Marketing Director of New Zealand Winegrowers, been instrumental in developing and promoting New Zealand wines internationally,” said Gerhard Wohlmuth, presidenet supervisory board, AWMB.   

Johannes Schmuckenschlager, viticulture president said he had been “overwhelmed” by the number of applicants for the position. “It demonstrates the strong reputation of Austraian wine,” he said. “We are very pleased to have secured a new managing director who is experienced in exports, from a leading premium wine country – New Zealand. We look forward to having Chris Yorke strongly support and promote export interests of Austrian winemakers.”  

Meanwhile, Yorke said: “ I have always admired the Austrian wine industry for its high-quality wines, which are sustainably produced from a beautiful country with friendly people. The Austrian Wine Marketing Board has a strong reputation for excellent initiatives in Austria and overseas and I look forward to joining the team, meeting the grape growers and winemakers and contributing to this exciting growth phase for Austrian wine.”