In 2009, four friends who share a love of wine launched an import alcohol business in central Sweden. Aided by the Enterprise Europe Network, the start-up is now sourcing wine from four Spanish producers.

Shortly after starting a company called Svenska Vinhuset, the owners decided to target wine suppliers in Spain. “As a small company competing against very big players,” explains CEO Johan Gustafsson, “we need to distinguish ourselves by offering affordable quality wines to wholesale customers.”

For help making contacts the SME turned to the Enterprise Europe Network branch at LTC AB in Jönköping. With 3,000 experts in 50 countries, the Network helps entrepreneurs break into foreign markets.

Network project manager Ellen Carlsson spread the word to colleagues in Spain who set up a tasting tour of five regions. “It shows you the Network’s multiplier effect,” she says.

In northwestern Spain, Network expert Rosa Moure López of the Confederacion de Empresarios de Galicia (CEG) worked with the local wine board to organise a tasting of wines from more than 20 area producers.

One of them, Adega Eidos Viticultores, agreed to work with Svenska Vinhuset. Adega Eidos is itself a family-owned micro-firm with 10 hectares of albariño grapes – used to make white wine similar to riesling.

“We don’t have the resources to explore business leads on our own,” says Francisco Santiso, Adega Eidos’ marketing manager and one of three employees. “Fortunately, the Enterprise Europe Network brought a new client straight to our doorstep.”