Invivo Wines supports NZ artists at 53rd Venice Biennale

Invivo Wines is a New Zealand company with a lot of positive attitude. Its boutique wine will be on the international stage at the world renowned 2009 Venice Biennale in Italy.

Invivo Wines New Zealand is the exclusive wine supporter for New Zealand’s presence at the Biennale which will feature stunning exhibitions by leading New Zealand contemporary artists Judy Millar and Francis Upritchard. The New Zealand presence at the Venice Biennale is an initiative of Creative New Zealand. 

The 53rd Venice Biennale will be open to the public from 7 June to 22 November 2009, with more than 77 national exhibitions in pavilions throughout the city and attracting some 300,000 visitors to the world-wide event.

Tim Lightbourne of Invivo Wines New Zealand said “New Zealand’s presence at the world’s premier art event is the perfect opportunity for Invivo in the international business environment. We are committed to supporting the exceptional aspirations and artistic expression of New Zealand’s leading artists who explore new spaces for art outside the traditional art market. 

The Biennale also provides Invivo an excellent business opportunity. With Invivo now achieving export sales in USA, UK, Australia and Europe, Invivo has invited its European distributors to attend the New Zealand opening events and be part of the unique experience along with the guests of Creative New Zealand and the global media attending.”

Alastair Carruthers, Chair, Arts Council of Creative New Zealand, said “The Venice Biennale is an opportunity to profile New Zealanders’ excellence and innovation.  Invivo Wines is a perfect fit and we thank them for their generous support.”

The celebration of New Zealand’s presence at the 2009 Biennale will be hosted by His Excellency Laurie Markes, Ambassador for New Zealand to Italy and the New Zealand Commissioner to the biennale, Jenny Harper, in St Mark’s Square, Venice on 3 June, followed by official exhibition openings with Millar and Upritchard on 4 June. 900 guests of New Zealand’s patrons, supporters, arts and trade representatives and international guests are expected to attend the special opening receptions.

Invivo Wines New Zealand was established in 2008 by old school friends Rob Cameron and Tim Lightbourne who reunited while working in London.  Cameron had been working as a consultant winemaker in a number of European countries, including Italy, Moldova and Slovenia. Lightbourne had been working in international marketing for L’Oreal. On the basis of an idea conceived over a few drinks in a London pub, they returned to New Zealand to set up their business and launched their first wine, a Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, at an official launch in Auckland in September 2008.

When the company was developing its business model, it was determined that an aspiration would be to align with culture, creativity, art and design. Invivo approached iconic fashion house Zambesi to design its wine label and determined that the company would continue a strong alignment with the contemporary arts. It quickly established a link with Art + Object, a leading New Zealand contemporary art auction house.  Support has been given to artists with gallery shows in New Zealand and the US, and will soon extend to the New Zealand presence at the 53rd Venice Biennale in Italy. 

Invivo produces premium wines in collaboration with winegrowers from the world renowned wine regions of New Zealand.

Since launching, both Cameron and Lightbourne have been travelling worldwide, fronting international wine tasting events in Australia, the United Kingdom and USA, and securing international agents.  Invivo has already won a number of awards and high praise for the quality of Rob Cameron’s wines.

In May the company launches its 2008 Central Otago Pinot Noir. A Pinot Gris and a Rose are on the agenda for release in August 2009.