The Austrian Wine Marketing Board (Österreich Wein Marketing GmbH) is based in Vienna, and is a national service body for the Austrian wine industry. The organisation was founded in 1986 with the aim to strategically support, coordinate and maintain quality and sales.
Its main goal for the domestic market is to strive for an increased market share of Qualitätswein (Quality Wine), along with the export of bottled quality wine, with particular focus on the continued increase in value.
The revenues of the AWMB amount annually to approximately 4 million euros in marketing contributions from the wine industry (1.1 cents per liter of harvested wine and 1.1 cents per liter of bottled wine placed on the market) and about 3.5 million euros in contributions from the states( Lower Austria, Burgenland, Styria, Vienna). In addition, the AWMB receives funding from the European Union.
The AWMB's strategy aims for a balanced marketing mix adapted to the particular markets. That means image work in terms of sales promotion and active public relations work with supportive media advertising (promotion of origin and winegrowing regions, especially in close cooperation with regional wine committees).
Subsidiaries
The Austrian Wine Institute (ÖWI Handels GmbH) is a 100% subsidiary company of the AWMB and distributes the AWMB point of sale and wine accessories through its premises in Korneuburg, and its webshop www.shop.oewi.at.
The AWMB owns a 50% share in the Austrian Wine Academy.
Distribution of Ownership
Industry (50%)
25% Chamber of Agriculture (“PRÄKO“)
25% Chambers of Commerce (WKÖ)
Local Government bodies (50%)
15% Lower Austria
15% Burgenland
10% Styria
10% Vienna
Corporate History
Managing Directors
- since 2020 Christopher Yorke, BA
- 2007-2019 Mag. Wilhelm Klinger
- 2002-2006 Mag. Michael Thurner MBA
- 1994-2001 Dr. Bertold Salomon
- 1991-1993 Dr. Walter Kutscher
- 1990 Engelbert Prassl
- 1986-1989 Mag. Wolfgang Lusak