Berkmann follows logistics expansion with two new hotel group contracts

By Jo Gilbert

Published: 20 February, 2017

Berkmann Wine Cellars has secured contracts with two new hotel groups after scaling up its logistics operations last year to deal with larger contracts.

As of this week, the premium on-trade suppliers have added two Pride of Britain hotel brands to their portfolio.

They will be supplying wine to Cotswold-based group The Calcot Collection and Glenapp Castle in Ballantrae, Ayrshire.

The Berkmann model, which has its roots in the restaurant trade, builds bespoke wine lists for clients and also provides front-of-house training through its Veraison scheme.

This follows a move to improve their logistics operations in 2016 with the aim of working larger multi-site operators such as Young's.

Since starting to work with Berkmann's a year ago, Young's have reported an uplift in sales thanks to an overhauled wine list, wine service training and the Grape Masters initiative - creating wine ambassadors across the Young's estate.

Charles Marshall, commercial director, Berkmann Wine Cellars, said: "At Berkmann we are proud of our long-standing association with premium restaurants, pubs and hotels, thanks to our heritage in the on-trade. We champion ourselves in offering a bespoke service to clients of all sizes and to see the business confirm deals with both an independent and multi-site hotel brand of this calibre is indeed an excellent achievement."

Berkmann Wines was founded in 1964 to supply Joseph Berkmann's group of restaurants with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Beaujolais.

As well as upscaling its logistics, the company is also focusing on improving staff training.

According to Clara Rubin, ex-sommelier and national training manager at Berkmann Wine Cellars, says that this skill is 'worryingly lacking' in certain areas of the industry.

Berkmann is trying to fill the gap with its educational arm, Veraison, launched last year, which aims to offer practical education for front-of-house teams.

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