ALEXANDRA TREDREA

STRONG sales,aggressive marketing and further debt reduction helped Cockatoo Ridge Wines earn a record first-half profit of $4 million,the company said yesterday.

Managing director Peter Perrin said the merger of Australian Commercial Wines with the Adelaide-based firm last year had been very successful.

"The Cockatoo Ridge branded business has been strong for us,and we have refocused on the brand with advertising and dedicated sales manager based in the eastern states"Mr Perrin said.

"The Normans wine brand has also done very well for us"

"Also,with the purchase of ACW-a large winery at Monash in the Riverland-we have had a substantial number of bulk-wine customers in Australia and overseas"

He said the company expected its full-year 2007-08 profit to beat its record result of $6.9 million for 2006-07.

"Sales have been boosted by aggressive marketing and a cohesive management team,"he said."We are confident the impetus gained in the first six months will continue for the rest of this calendar year."

In the coming weeks,the company will launch an international advertising campaign featuring former Miss Australia,Erin McNaught.

Cockatoo Ridge's Premium Normans label brand was about to be launched in New Zealand,while wine shipments to new agents in China and Europe had been achieved.