Yalumba CEO Robert Hill-Smith steps down after 30 years

Australia's oldest family winery Yalumba is to lose its chief executive of 30 years - Robert Hill-Smith - who is stepping down from the role to chair the board of directors.

The Benevolent offers magic, music and dancing at its March Ball

The Benevolent is encouraging the drinks trade to reward well performing staff with a night out at the industry charity's ball at London's Dorchester hotel on March 12.

Encirc Beverages appoints new general manager John Hawkins

Contract bottling firm Encirc Beverages has appointed John Hawkins as its new general manager to oversee operations and develop customer relations at its Elton plant in Cheshire.

More singers announced and Skin Côntact's Alex Hunt reveals all he knows - and likes - about music

If the thought of wine legends Joe Wadsack and Charles Metcalfe singing along to the sounds of the wine trade's very own rock band Skin Côntact, was not enough to get you to their one off gig on March 9 at London's Vinopolis, then four more singers have just been added to the line up. 

Middle and upper classes flock to Aldi and Lidl for drinks bargains

The British notion of class is no longer holding back shoppers from snapping up drinks bargains at discounters Aldi and Lidl.

Opportunities ripe for consolidation in independent wine sector, predicts Broderson

The time is right for many independent operators across the wine and spirits sector to seriously consider consolidation in order to strengthen businesses, says drinks mergers and acquisition specialists Broderson & Co.

Merchants urged to get suppliers to sign Best Practice Guidelines for March for Independents

Today Harpers is calling on independent wine merchants across the country to help get their suppliers fully behind the sector by signing up to Harpers' Best Practice Guidelines,  set up to try and ensure relations between independents and suppliers are as effective as possible.

Rioja wines plan to boost premium sales as value soars 10% in UK

Rioja wines soared 10% by value in the UK in 2014, and the region now plans to boost its premium position with campaigns targeting the on-trade and independent sector.

Accolade Wines finalises Grant Burge deal

Accolade Wines has completed its deal to acquire the Barossa Valley's Grant Burge Wines, which includes its brand, business and Krondorf winery.

AG Barr buys cocktail mixer firm Funkin

Scottish soft drinks group AG Barr, the maker of Irn Bru, has bought cocktail mixer firm Funkin for up to £21 million.

Wine agency suppliers to be hardest hit in Tesco range cull

Tesco's pledge to cut ranges by 30% as part of a massive overhaul of its entire product base will hit wine and spirits suppliers, especially those on the agency side, and is likely to be followed by the other major supermarket chains, industry experts have warned.

Burgundy's Domaine Chanzy first company to use crowdfunding for IPO

Domaine Chanzy will be the first company in the world to use a crowdfunding platform to launch its initial public offering (IPO) on the AIM exchange.

Regional recovery in dining out market strengthens

Consumers in Wales and the north and east of England ate out more frequently than Londoners over Christmas, strengthening views that a regional recovery is happening.

Vinopolis set to close at the end of 2015

Vinopolis, the wine tour and tasting experience near London Bridge, has said it will close its doors at the end of the year with the loss of 180 jobs. 

Drinks trade saves £51m on glass recycling

The wine and spirits trade has saved an estimated £51 million in glass recycling fees per year in the last year, after a WSTA-led campaign sought to bring spiralling costs down.

Harpers March for the Independents campaign kicks off with retailer survey

Today marks the official start of Harpers March for the Independents campaign which over the next month will put the spotlight firmly on the needs and trading issues facing independent wine merchants.

Wine is now the UK's most popular alcohol drink with 30 million regular drinkers

Wine is now the most popular alcohol drink with 60% of adults, according to a new poll commissioned by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

Jacob's Creek turns to its winemakers and growers for new TV campaign

Herefordshire English winery looking for UK distributor

One of the oldest farming families in Herefordshire, which converted from cattle to vines 10 years ago, is looking for a UK distributor for its wine.

Merchants get chance to get on top of their business at March for Independents conference