WE HELP WINERIES, DISTRIBUTORS, RETAILERS & CONSUMERS
VinAsia was founded in 2008 with the express mission of marketing and distributing the best California wines to the growing Asia-Pacific Region. Starting with Japan, VinAsia has grown to include Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea, and mainland China. Our wine portfolio has grown to include wines from France, Argentina and Portugal.

VinAsia's services include:

• Import and Export of Wine, Malt Beverages, and Distilled Spirits.
  Market and Marketing Research & Analysis
  
• Development of Marketing & Brand Strategy
  
• Execution of Marketing & PR Activities
• Distributor Search & Trade-related activities
  
• Product Portfolio Building & Product Search
  
• Wine Training for sommeliers, wait staff, and sales

PRINCIPALS

Yuko Suzuki, President & Marketing Strategist
CWA, Japan Society of Sommeliers
Ms. Suzuki founded VinAsia after serving as Director of Marketing for Asia Pacific at PeoplePC, and Director of International Brand Development at E&J Gallo Winery, the world’s largest winery.

While at Gallo, she led Gallo’s global branding efforts, as well as she was responsible for marketing and PR for Gallo’s Asia Pacific countries. She successfully grew Gallo’s Asian business; she contributed significantly to the Gallo’s 45% sales growth in Japan during her tenure by increasing the brand awareness and royalty with development and implementation of effective marketing and public relations programs, In addition, she was responsible for development and rejuvenation of Gallo’s global brands.

Prior to Gallo, Ms. Suzuki worked at the world headquarter of PepsiCo Foods International (currently, The Frito-Lay International) in Lay’s and Ruffles global branding, at Procter & Gamble in new product development, and at Recruit Co in corporate communication strategies and advertising.

Ms. Suzuki holds and MBA from J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University, and a BA in International Relations and Linguistics from Tokyo University of Foreign Studies. She also studied at University of Lisbon, Portugal, and The University of Western Ontario, Canada.

She received her Certified Wine Advisor certificate from the Japan Society of Sommeliers in 2002. She is also a Certified Specialist of Wine via the Society of Wine Educators, and is WSET Level III certified. She is currently in the WSET Diploma Programme.

She was born and raised in Japan, with an extensive international experience both personally and professionally. Ms. Suzuki is fluent in Japanese, English and Portuguese.

Richard Bischoff, Vice President, Business Development
WSET, Level II,
Certified Sake Professional
Mr. Bischoff has extensive experience in Direct-to-Consumer wine sales, wine education, wine marketing and public relations. He spent six years behind the bar at one of Northern California's leading tasting rooms, where he learned the value of connecting with new and experienced wine consumers, as well as having a close-up view of the wine production process all year long.

He is Level II WSET, and a Certified Sake Professional. He is currently pursuing his WSET Level III and Society of Wine Educators Certified Specialist of Wine certifications. He is also a member of the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists.

Mr. Bischoff graduated from Emerson College in Boston, with a degree in Mass Communications/Film and a minor in Communications Studies.

Samuel Lau, Hong Kong
Samuel Lau resides in Hong Kong & ZhongShan (PRC). Mr. Lau has been involved in marketing communications, training, sales and business development since 1988. Samuel is an enthusiastic fan of American wines and uses his enthusiasm to promote VinAsia's portfolio in the Hong Kong and China markets.

Boon Ling, Singapore
Boon Ling, residing in Singapore, is a commercially savvy entrepreneur with strong analytical skills and effective interpersonal ability and leadership style. She has more than 20 years commercial experience with both manufacturers and retailers in multiple geographies including China, Thailand and United Kingdom.

Boon Ling is owner and director of Blue Jewel Ventures Pte Ltd, a consultancy company that specializes in retail management, business turnaround, modern trade management, market development and market representation. She is also one of the owners/director of Fine Foodz Pte Ltd, an company that invest in F&B operations. Boon Ling’s other interest is in start-ups. Her latest investment is in Redmart.com, a online grocer in Singapore where she is also their merchandising advisor.

Visit our Contact page or email to get in touch.