The Nuance Group partners with Canadian Golf Icon Mike Weir

Toronto - On Monday, May 31 The Nuance Group and Mike Weir Winery celebrated the duty free launch of Mike Weir Icewine at Tax & Duty Free at Toronto Pearson International Airport with the appearance of Mike Weir, Canada's golf icon at a private event in Toronto.

Mike Weir Icewine makes its premiere into the duty free market at Nuance's Toronto Pearson Tax & Duty Free stores. The Nuance Group will be the first duty free airport retailer in the world to offer the product and will be selling it on an exclusive basis for a period of 6 months.  The partnership between The Nuance Group and Mike Weir Winery is a natural fit as both organizations have a passion for Canada, the world famous Niagara wine region and quality Canadian Icewine.  The fact that Mike Weir Wines sale proceeds support the Mike Weir Charitable Foundation made the partnership a must. 

"To offer a Canadian made product by an internationally known Canadian professional for a great cause, just makes sense.  To offer our customer this opportunity in the form of one of the best selling products we have, makes great business sense.  Many thanks to Mike Weir Winery and Diageo GTME for the opportunity to be the world's first airport travel retailer of Mike Weir Icewine." says Dick Rendek, CEO, The Nuance Group, North America.   He added "Thank you also to the GTAA for their ongoing support."

"When Diageo came to us with the opportunity to sell Mike Weir Icewine in the duty free market, we were very excited about the possibilities.  We are proud to have established a new relationship with the Nuance Group which will provide a foundation for future growth of Mike Weir Icewine." says Barry Katzman, President, Mike Weir Winery.

Mike Weir adds "I am very grateful to be able to be able to come to Toronto Pearson today to help kick-off the sale of my Icewine in Nuance's Tax & Duty Free stores. This is a great showcase for my wine, for Canadian wines in general and will go along way in helping my winery and the Mike Weir Foundation which it supports."

 "We are delighted to have the exclusive premiere of Mike Weir Icewine at Toronto Pearson," remarks Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA).  "It supports our shared desire to provide our passengers with the best that Canada has to offer."

NOTES
The Nuance Group
Swiss-based, The Nuance Group is one of the leading operators in the travel retail industry. The Group's portfolio includes 370 outlets across 58 airports and 19 countries around the globe. In addition to its duty and tax free stores, Nuance operates specialist shops and brand boutiques, food and beverage operations, a distribution business, stores at casinos and resorts, as well as outlets on board airplanes. Approximately 4,700 employees work for The Nuance Group worldwide.

Mike Weir Winery
Mike Weir Winery was founded by Mike Weir in the spring of 2005 to showcase the world class wines being made in Ontario's Niagara Peninsula and to support the Mike Weir Charitable Foundation.  The wines were an instant critical and consumer success across Canada garnering numerous gold medals, critics acclaim and unprecedented consumer acceptance.  With 8 PGA Tour victories including the 2003 Masters and a place amongst the greatest Canadians of all time the winery is proud to carry Mike Weirs name and to benefit from his ownership, vision and passion for Canada, quality wine and for giving back.

The Mike Weir Foundation
The Mike Weir Foundation was formed in 2004 by Mike and his wife Bricia Weir to assist children in physical, emotional and financial need and since the wineries inception; proceeds from the sale of Weir Wines have gone to the Mike Weir Foundation. 

Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA)
The GTAA is the non-share, not for profit authority that operates Toronto Pearson International Airport.  All revenue generated by the GTAA is reinvested back into the airport.  In 2009, 30.4 millions passengers travelled through Toronto Pearson. 

For more information on The Nuance Group, contact Ulrike Janett-Bachner, The Nuance Group Corporate Communications, phone +41 43 260 3977, e-mail ujanett@thenuancegroup.com or Mona Lee-Tam, The Nuance Group, North America  mleetam@na.thenuancegroup.com or  905-673-4510.