Samantha Combes

Responsible for European PR and marketing for La Riojana co-operative, Argentina, the world's largest Fairtrade certified winery, including:

• All communications, including press releases, presentations, press information & interviews, newsletters, winery reports, vintage reports, marketing copy
• Website development and updates
• New product development, back label copy, technical information sheets
• Close involvement in La Riojana's Fairtrade investment and different projects, from their execution to fruition
• Briefing photographers / videographers to ensure images & videos which capture hearts and minds
• Coordinating competition submissions
• Content creation for La Riojana's Instagram / Facebook accounts (Oct 2022 - May 2024)
• Represented La Riojana at Fairtrade Wine Committee meetings, trade tastings and events
• Involved in organisation of Fairtrade Wine Awards 2009
• Nurturing winery relationships with importers, customers, press and trade bodies such as the Fairtrade Foundation

Established a successful PR and marketing programme for Viña La Rosa brands for the UK market:

• Designed a tailored marketing strategy with targeted above and below the line activities for brand growth
• Led a full rebranding project including new corporate identity and product packaging, still in use today
• Headed up brand communications, point of sale materials, and website development
• Built strong relationships with UK trade and consumer wine press, including press visits / itineraries
• Represented the winery at key UK trade and consumer wine events
• Coordinated wine competition submissions
• Worked closely with Viña La Rosa's UK importer to support sales / customer relations

From Export Sales Assistant for Europe promoted to Export Director for US and Canada for Chile's 3rd largest winery:

• Worked closely with winemaking, production, quality assurance, export operations and marketing
• Assisted with pricing, quotations, and budgets
• Represented the winery at trade fairs, tastings and market visits in Europe, US and Canada
• Organised press itineraries and hosted press, buyer and importer winery / vineyard visits
• Coordinated wine competition entries
• Worked closely with Viña Santa Carolina and Viña Casablanca's European, US and Canadian importers to support sales / customer relations

Involved with every aspect of organisation and smooth running of the International Wine Challenge 1995:

• Managed wine entries, ensuring smooth operations of IWC including judging, publication of the results and IWC wine guide
• Managed staff, judges, samples and tasting
• Organised IWC stand at London Wine Fair, IWC Awards ceremony & dinner at The Grosvenor House Hotel
• Learned to work under extreme pressure