China’s leading wine importer plans to expands reach with opening of Hong Kong office

(Hong Kong, May 26 2008) ASC Fine Wines, “China’s leading importer of fine wine” (Decanter magazine, July 2007) announces the opening of its Hong Kong branch.

Since the Hong Kong government abolished wine import duties on February 27, Hong Kong has been re-branding itself as the hub for fine wine sales in Asia-Pacific; ASC Fine Wines hopes to play a major role as it expands its customer base into Hong Kong.

Hong Kong attracts more than 25 million tourists and visitors every year and the repeal of wine duties will only increase its allure as fine dining and entertainment destinations. ASC Fine Wines, already China’s leading wine importer is well positioned to supply wines in Hong Kong to meet the increasing demand.

ASC Fine Wines – China’s wine history in the making

In the mid-1990s, American father and son team Don St. Pierre, Sr. and Don St. Pierre, Jr., believed that China was about to experience a boom in wine imports. The Chinese economy was opening up, consumer incomes were increasing rapidly, and China’s domestic wine production was limited. The St. Pierres were correct: ASC Fine Wines took off quickly after its establishment in 1996.

Recognizing that an injection of capital would be required if ASC Fine Wines were to take full advantage of the rapid growth of the China wine market, the St. Pierres invited Mr. Gernot Langes Swarovski (of Swarovski Crystal fame) to invest in the company in 1998. Today, this partnership is helping to take ASC to the next level.


ASC: Service First
ASC is well equipped to deliver high levels of service. The company’s expertise in staff training and wine education has been recognized most recently by the Wine & Spirits Education Trust (the world’s leading wine training and education institution), which appointed ASC Fine Wines its first authorized WSET program provider in mainland China.

ASC takes pride in its on-time delivery system, made possible by an advanced logistics system and a network of climate-controlled warehouses. For both trade and home delivery customers, ASC’s distribution expertise means fast delivery of exactly the wine desired, in optimal condition. That is just one of the reasons that ASC Fine Wines was recently named “China’s leading importer of fine wine” by Decanter magazine in July, 2007.

ASC is planning to set up its Hong Kong office in January, 2009 and to dedicate to provide its very best service and portfolio to Hong Kong customers.


ASC Fine Wines is China’s largest importer/distributor of quality wines, with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Xiamen and Macau representing over 1000 wines and 90 plus wineries from 14 countries.