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Berkmann’s Jacquie Kay passes away

Published:  26 June, 2017

It is with great sadness that Harpers has learned of the passing of Berkmann Wine Cellars long-serving sales director, Jacquie Kay.

Kay died peacefully at home on Monday, June 19, after a private battle with cancer.

This morning, the company paid tribute “a true doyenne of the wine trade”, who spent 35 years rising through the ranks to become London sales director and a member of Berkmann’s board.

Owner and chairman, Joseph Berkmann, said today: “Jacquie was gentle, diplomatic, kind and much liked by all. She was forever a close member of our family, and exceedingly loyal to me through many difficult moments. She’ll be sorely missed.”

In a statement, the company said that Kay was “integral” in helping Berkmann become the business it is today.

Having joined Berkmann Wine Cellars in 1982 at the age of 31 to develop a private wine club called Le Nez Rouge, Kay was behind re-channelling the supplier’s focus into supplying London’s independent on- and off-trade business, the company said.

Berkmann Wines is a family-owned company with roots in the restaurant trade, having been founded in 1964 to supply Joseph Berkmann’s group of restaurants with Bordeaux, Burgundy and Beaujolais.

Kay was widely respected in the wine and restaurant industries for her work.

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