New Zealand-based Invivo Wines announced today that fashion photographer Nigel Barker will be their U.S. “Glambassador” as the winery launches in America.

Founded in 2008, Invivo is approaching production this year of 2 million bottles annually, the company reports, and sells in 17 countries. Now available in the U.S. through Seaview Imports, the winery has brought Americans its Invivo Sauvignon Blanc, Invivo Pinot Noir and the Graham Norton special edition Sauvignon Blanc.

This collaboration between Invivio and the popular U.K. talk show host is similar to what the winery would like to accomplish with Barker as they expand into the U.S. market, the company says.

The relationship between Invivo and Barker began five years ago while he was in New Zealand shooting America’s Next Top Model and was introduced to Invivo’s Pinot Noir after a day on set, the company says. For years he “smuggled” bottles home, but now can legally share the brand with his friends in the U.S.

“Every once in a while you meet someone you want to stay in touch with and occasionally that relationship becomes extra special. That is basically what happened between Invivo and me – it was love at first sip,” says Barker. 

The U.S. has grown to be the number one market for New Zealand wine, the company says, as the country currently exports $307 million worth of wine to America. 

Barker is known for his 17 seasons as photographer and judge on America’s Next Top Model, host of Oxygen Network’s modeling competition series, The Face, and current host and developer of the web-series Top Photographer.