28 Below Wine Imports LLC was founded in California in January 2004 by three wine industry professionals, with the vision and goal to create a quality and professional importer specializing in wine produced below the 28th parallel, concentrating on boutique and family owned estates in both Western Australia and New Zealand.
President and Co-founder
Wayne has a vast knowledge of fine wines from Western Australia and New Zealand and passionately seeks out wines that communicate the effort and dedication the producer has infused into the vineyard. Wayne also has a deep understanding of the complexities that accompany the journey from vine to bottle.
Previous to the formation of 28 Below Imports, Wayne spent fifteen years working in the supply/import area of the industry in Australia, Europe and the Middle East. From the early days of wearing out shoe leather, calling on retail outlets in the United Kingdom, Denmark, Switzerland and Malta, to managing the marketing and financial interests of Australian wines, until the lure of America took hold of his aspirations and goals set him on the challenging path to 'sell wine in the United States'.
With the collapse of the world's financial system, Wayne understands the pressure and stress placed on distributors as well as retailers, plus the need to market effectively, with sensible goals and strategies to ride out the storm. Long experience in this industry is now a very valuable personal asset to have.
Mark Kordic
Mark Kordic has spent 20 years in the wine industry in Western Australia, gaining vineyard and wine making experience while developing his exporting and marketing expertise. His role in the family vineyard and winery has expanded over the years, as has his knowledge of and appreciation for fine Australian wines.
As a true ambassador for Australian wines, Mark’s goal was to create a series of wines that would showcase not only the fruits of the West’s world famous growing regions, but would feature the products of Australia’s many unsung, often under-valued regions.
Utilizing his intimate regional knowledge and industry contacts, Mark has sourced the finest grapes from around the country and created a true ‘best of the best’ scenario in Wandering Wallaby Wines.
Mark is based at the family vineyard located in Manjimup, Western Australia, home of Wandering Wallaby Wines
Co-founder
Jill's expertise and twenty years experience in finance and marketing brings to 28 Below a sound platform for ensuring growth occurs in a sound and profitable manner. Jill is also responsible for licensing, accounting and the legal requirements of the company, as well as the day to day miriad of tasks generated.
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