Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Wine Source Group to fuel growth with private equity funding

Published: 10 December, 2019

Private equity fund Saphir Capital has taken a majority stake in international fine-wine supplier Wine Source Group.

DMD aims to take the next step with £500K crowdfunding bid

Published: 04 November, 2019

DMD Ventures, the parent company behind online alcohol retailer 31Dover and on-trade supplier Vanquish, is about to embark on a financial bid to the tune of half a million pounds.

New commercial director role at Mangrove UK

Published: 01 November, 2019

Boutique spirits importer and distributer Mangrove UK has a new head honcho at the helm of the company’s marketing and sales teams.

Glen Moray forges ahead with new head of whisky creation role

Published: 31 October, 2019

Dr Kirstie McCallum is joining top Speyside distillery, Glen Moray, in a new role which puts creation and innovation at the top of the agenda.

Jerry Lockspeiser: Why would anyone invest in a start up?

Published: 21 October, 2019

I recently received an invitation to invest in the BIB Wine Company. They are crowdfunding on the Seedrs platform, one of the UK’s major players in this market. BIB summarise their pitch as:

Pernod Ricard consolidates business in France

Published: 03 October, 2019

French giant Pernod Ricard is consolidating in an effort to cut costs after it emerged that sales in France have fallen by €60 million (£53.4 million) over the past two years.

Amathus's inaugural tasting puts spotlight on ambitious plans to double its wine portfolio

Published: 13 September, 2019

Amathus Drinks held its first stand alone tasting of recent times this week to highlight what has been a major push into the wine category for the traditionally spirits-led company over the past few years.

Major shift-around as Kingsland Drinks re-thinks senior leadership team

Published: 16 August, 2019

Manchester-based bottler Kingsland Drinks has announced high-level executive changes to devote greater focus on its “strategic development and business direction”.

Gaucho brought back from the brink by investors

Published: 05 September, 2018

Ailing Argentinian steak chain Gaucho has been saved by its lenders, after falling into administration back in July.

Lanchester Wines and Adnams strike green partnership

Published: 07 August, 2018

Durham-based merchant Lanchester Wines has produced a range of wines for Suffolk-based brewer, distiller and retailer Adnams, with a focus on sustainability.

Milestone eyes Spanish and Italian wines

Published: 03 August, 2018

Milestone Wines is looking to add two further agencies to the business, its new director of agency sales has said.

Molson Coors chases the buzz with joint marijuana venture

Published: 02 August, 2018

Molson Coors is the latest mega-brewer to announce plans to make hybrid beverages with one of Canada’s leading cannabis producers, further signalling the march of smoke products into the alcoholic sector.

Flint Wines eyes growth with new senior development manager

Published: 25 July, 2018

Specialist fine wine importer Flint Wines has hired a new company development manager as part of an “ambitious” five-year plan to drive the company forward.

Grant’s highlights wood aging with global brand refresh

Published: 04 July, 2018

Top three Scotch producer Grant’s has rebooted its range of blended whiskies to highlight the three types of wood that go into making the brand’s signature taste.

Thinking outside the wine box on global shortages

Published: 08 June, 2018

Sourcing more cannily, focusing on quality and seeking out alternatives are just some of the outcomes that have resulted from increased supply and price pressures over the past few years. Re-evaluation was a key theme at the London Wine Fair Innovation Zone debate on May 22, as panellists discussed how best to meet changing consumer needs when global consumption patterns and global supply rarely see eye to eye.

Leading Spanish sangria to touch down in the UK

Published: 15 May, 2018

Spain’s Zamora Company has teamed up with independent distributor Indie Brands to launch its recently acquired premium sangria into the UK market.

Not too big to fail: Where it all went wrong for Conviviality

Published: 06 April, 2018

With annual sales of £1.6bn and shares flying high at 425p each on the stock market at the end of 2017, Conviviality seemed to be more than keeping its head above water in the choppy seas of today’s difficult trading environment.

Cash strapped Conviviality looks to equity fundraise to meet £30m tax bill

Published: 16 March, 2018

Cash strapped wholesaling group Conviviality has announced it is in talks to begin equity fundraising in to plug a £30m tax shortfall which is due on March 29.

Fever-Tree continues to lead the premium pack by adapting to low-cal and dark spirit trends

Published: 13 March, 2018

Fever-Tree accounted for 91% of the value growth of all mixers on the UK’s retail shelves last year, as the UK-based company continues to lead the march of premium mixers.

Catering exec and wine enthusiast dies in tragic plane crash

Published: 02 January, 2018

The foodservice industry is mourning the loss of one of its giants this morning, as the world media reports the tragic loss of Richard Cousins, CEO of catering company Compass Group.