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 A trained Sommelier with a background in International Business and Marketing, a wine writer and a judge, Cecilia joined Sula in 2007 and ascending the corporate ladder has risen in the ranks to become a VP. She is the voice and face of Sula today, representing India across the globe. She also looks after Sula’s international business including Exports and in Import she has been instrumental in making ‘Sula Selections’ one of the leading wine and spirits importers in India. She also looks after Communication - including Social Media. Over the last 8 years she has helped Sula successfully introduce wines in new markets such as Canada, Belgium, the Middle East, and also emerging markets like China.
Her wine journey started 12 years ago on her return home to Sweden in 2003, when at the age of 23 she joined a wine company with an assignment to help with sales, imports and marketing. She got the opportunity to travel to wineries around the world and meet inspiring people. Wanting to be a step ahead of competition, she decided to become a Sommelier and graduated from Vinkällan Swedish Wine Academy, in 2005. She started her own business in which she also consulted for various companies with one of the assignments being supervision of the wine service at a Nobel Banquet. A chance meeting with Rajeev Samant in South Africa brought her to India in 2007 when she joined Sula and went head-on into various aspects of wine, except production.
Cecilia says it is an honour to be the Global Brand Ambassador and promote a company which is not only pioneering the growth of the Indian wine industry but doing so in a way that combines sustainability and benefits the local economy.
She is an avid admirer of Rajeev Samant and says, ‘working with him is very inspiring. He is a great leader and I have learnt a lot from him. He is always one step ahead of the game, anticipating changes in the market and economy. Rajeev is also one of the most empathetic and intelligent men I have met.’
Rajeev Samant, Founder CEO of Sula says, ' Cecilia Oldne has become synonymous with Sula in the eyes of many of our customers. She came to this country on a short commitment 8 years ago and fell in love with it and has stayed on. She has been the most instrumental figure in improving the perception and sales of Indian wines across the world, with great successes with clients such as Marks and Spencer and Laithwaites under her belt. Hats off to her!'
Sula now exports to 30 countries and she believes that Sula has put India on the world wine map. She is also on the board of the newly formed AWPA (Asia Wine Producer Association), an alliance of Asian wine producers. Sula was the first Indian wine to be selected by Marks and Spencer, DFS and Air India with Cecilia heading up Sula's international business.
From the very first edition, Cecilia has been involved in managing the annual SulaFest which had another rocking and rolling year. She has been in charge of PR and events. Thanks to her, the number of media visiting the fest tripled this year, resulting in a record reporting of the event too. The Social Media platform which she heads also made sure that the awareness about the fest was excellent and the response was positive, surpassing all previous records.
If you think that the Swedish wine Diva has plans to leave India you haven’t heard her say nonchalantly," Sula is at the forefront of the Indian wine revolution and I am proud to have played a role in that. We have come a long way but I have no plans of leaving as the best is yet to come! Sula is today India's #1 wine company with over 65% domestic market share and we have established Nashik as an important region on the world wine map. I however intend to carve ourselves a larger chapter in the history books of wine," she says.
For her commitment to wine promotion, marketing, international sales efforts and helping to bring Sula and also India in the mainstream export markets, we welcome Cecilia Oldne once again to India’s Top Ten WOW 2015!
Subhash Arora
Earlier articles
WOW 2015: Reva Singh of Sommelier India
WOW 2015: Rojita Tiwari-Journalist and Consultant
WOW 2015: Sonal Holland from ITC Hotels
WOW 2015: Karishma Grover-Winemaker at GroverZ
WOW 2015: Rupali Bhatnagar-Winemaker at Sula
Tags: Top Ten Indian Women of Wine, Cecilia Oldne, Sula, Top Ten WOW List, Sula Selections, Vinkällan Swedish Wine Academy, Rajeev Samant, AWPA (Asia Wine Producer Association, Asian wine producers, Marks and Spencer, DFS, Air India, SulaFest |