Victoria Wines and Spirits formally launched a selection of premium Argentinian Malbec from the famed Trapiche vineyard in Fiji on April 17, marking the label’s market introduction in the country and coinciding with World Malbec Day. The launch, held at the Sheraton Fiji Golf Resort and Spa on Denarau, showcased Trapiche’s core Malbec profile alongside its high-end Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia and set out a commercial partnership that will see the wines stocked and poured at the resort.
Hamish Black, general manager of business development at Victoria Wines Group, used the occasion to place Trapiche in historical and global context, noting the label’s 140‑year pedigree and its track record on the international awards circuit. Located in Mendoza’s Uco Valley, Trapiche traces its Malbec lineage back to the mid‑19th century when vines were brought from France, a heritage Mr Black said underpins Argentina’s long‑standing reputation as a Malbec producer for markets across Australia, New Zealand, the United States and now Fiji.
The Sheraton partnership was central to the event. The resort’s culinary team at Tatavu Grill and Bar, which styles itself as a Latin American grill, devised a menu specifically to complement Trapiche’s wines. Dishes served during the launch included octopus ceviche and a Black Angus strip loin, chosen to highlight the Malbec’s affinity for barbecue and robust red‑meat pairings. Winni Ayuningtyas, Sheraton Fiji’s assistant director of food and beverage, said the April 17 dinner was timed to World Malbec Day and reflected the resort’s ambition “to be the benchmark of the other restaurants in Denarau and Fiji itself.”
Beyond the launch tasting, Mr Black recommended the Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia for seasoned palates, describing it as a wine that represents Trapiche’s work in identifying the best vineyard sites across Mendoza and its sub‑regions in Uco Valley. He emphasized the terroir‑driven approach behind the Finca Ambrosia bottling, saying it comes from a discrete estate within the Uco area that produces “some of the best grapes in Argentina.”
The commercial tie-up means guests at the Sheraton will now have ongoing access to both the Trapiche Malbec profile and the Terroir Series Finca Ambrosia by the bottle, with Victoria Wines positioning the resort as a key on‑trade partner for the brand in Fiji. The move follows a broader trend of international wine houses partnering with hotel and restaurant groups in the market to introduce premium imports through curated dining experiences.
For Sheraton, the introduction of Trapiche strengthens its Latin American menu identity at Tatavu and adds an international wine proposition aimed at both resort guests and Fiji’s dining scene. For Victoria Wines, the April 17 launch represents the formal arrival of a notable Argentine producer into local hospitality, leveraging a World Malbec Day spotlight to establish distribution and tasting momentum in the Fijian market.