Rugby League Commercial (RLC), the body established to address the future of the sport in England, has announced a new partnership with French wine company Les Vignes du Vent.
The deal makes Les Vignes du Vent the first official wine partner of the Super League, as the company aims to increase its presence in England.
The partnership involves Les Vignes du Vent branding being visible at all Super League fixtures, with Les Vignes du Vent wines set to be available at selected matches and venues in the UK.
Rhodri Jones, managing director of RL Commercial, has said: “We are pleased to welcome Les Vignes du Vent as new partners for the sport in the UK as well as France, underlining the appeal of Betfred Super League on both sides of the Channel.
"Thousands of supporters of English Super League clubs have become familiar with the culinary appeals of Perpignan and the surrounding areas through the involvement of the (Catalan) Dragons in the competition over the last two decades, so this is a natural and exciting next step.”
Les Vignes du Vent also became an official partner of the Catalans Dragons Super League team at the start of the 2024 season, a tie-up that involved their wines being on sale at the Stade Gilbert Brutus.
Fabienne Bonet, the chief executive of Les Vignes du Vent, added: “Les Vignes du Vent represents more than 1,000 producers in the Roussillon area, covering more than 8,000 hectares of vines. We began sales to the UK in 1976, and now have a presence in more than 40 countries.
"We are very happy to make this announcement - we already have a successful partnership with the Dragons and we want to go further and share our fraternal and enthusiastic spirit with all of Super League.’’
RLC was formed in May 2022, and became fully operational in January last year, as part of the commercial realignment and redevelopment of the sport in England - a process in which heavyweight sports agency IMG was integral.
The Rugby Football League and the Super League partnered with the agency heavyweight in mid-2022.
Read more: In the Boardroom with Rugby League's RL Commercial
