Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Naked Wines eyes up growth following its partnership with Majestic

Published: 11 May, 2015

Naked Wine's managing director Eamon FitzGerald talk to Harpers about the future of the new Naked Wines following its acquistion by Majestic.

Interview: Majestic's new boss Rowan Gormley and Naked's Eamon FitzGerald on the company's new era

Published: 11 May, 2015

Majestic's new chief executive Rowan Gormley and Naked's managing director Eamon FitzGerald talk about the future of the new company.

Yalumba's first non-family member MD, Nick Waterman talks about his long-term view for the business

Published: 08 May, 2015

Nick Waterman has become the first non-family member to hold the position of managing director at Yalumba in 165 years. He talks about how it feels to fill such big shoes.

Bibendum PLB's new indie and wholesale arm Walker & Wodehouse on catering for the indepedent sector

Published: 08 May, 2015

Next month sees the final piece of the jigsaw slot into place for mega-supplier Bibendum PLB Group, as it launches its independent and wholesale division, Walker & Wodehouse. Arabella Mileham catches up with managing director Gareth Groves

Q&A: Jonathan James talks to Harpers about his new franchise venture of Conviviality Retail

Published: 24 April, 2015

Jonathan James, the convenience store expert who has taken on the franchise of 36 stores acquired by Conviviality Retail from GT News, talks to Harpers.co.uk about his ambitious plans for the business.

Conviviality Retail's franchise boss to consult customers on refit of GT stores

Published: 24 April, 2015

Jonathan James, the convenience store expert who has taken on the franchise of 36 Conviviality Retail's stores, is rolling out a customer consultation process to get customers' input on the refit of its new stores.

Q&A: Damian Clarke of Freixenet's UK says his past work with FMCGs is helping to build stronger brands in wine trade

Published: 14 April, 2015

After a career spanning many leading grocery brands, Freixenet's UK boss Damian Clarke explains how his classic FMCG training is paying dividends in sparkling wine in the UK.

Interview: Why Paul Symington is set on ensuring a healthy future for Port wine

Published: 10 April, 2015

If the Port industry shares the same ambition and drive for its future as producer Paul Symington, then that future is healthy indeed

Pierre Gagnaire: the chef other chefs want to be

Published: 10 April, 2015

oplePierre Gagnaire is one of the most admired and successful chefs in the world. James Steen talks to him about the Beatles, Beaujolais and the three Michelin stars he has held for nearly 20 years

Le Vignoble on bringing award winning retailing to the south west

Published: 10 April, 2015

Le Vignoble in Plymouth is a buzzy wine boutique and lounge keen to educate its consumers and turn them into life-long wine connoisseurs

Old Bridge Hotel turns to wine retailing to build success

Published: 10 April, 2015

When Huntingdon's Old Bridge Hotel launched its own wine shop, the idea seemed something of a folly. But, as Glynn Davis finds, it has been a runaway success

Riecine: Bringing a touch of Englishness to the Tuscan hills

Published: 10 April, 2015

The English have long beaten a path to the rolling hills of Tuscany for their holidays. Twenty-four years ago winemaker Sean O'Callaghan did just that - but he never left and has been making wines at Riecine winery ever since

London Wine Fair 2015: Why LWF 2015 will the most diverse show in its history

Published: 10 April, 2015

After last year's make-or-break return to central London, London Wine Fair organisers Ross Carter and Will Broadfoot talk about what they claim is going to make London Wine Fair 2015 the most diverse show in its 35-year history.

Martin Williams: Ex-Gaucho boss on theatre of dining at his new 'M Restaurants'

Published: 06 March, 2015

Martin Williams caused a stir in the restaurant world when he announced he was leaving his top job at Gaucho Grill to go it alone in a 300-seat destination dining venue in central London. But he could not be happier following the opening of his new venture "M".

Tim Heath, senior winemaker of Cloudy Bay, talks about the challenges of making an iconic Sauvignon Blanc

Published: 06 February, 2015

Tim Heath, Cloudy Bay's straight-talking 38-year-old Aussie winemaker, talks about the challenges of producing one of the world's most iconic Sauvignons, his winemaking ethos - and his loathing of accountants.

GM Drinks shows how cash and carry sector can be key to future sales

Published: 09 January, 2015

GM Drinks has been in business for three years and is already distributing a million bottles a year. Richard Siddle talks to founder Marc Patch about succeeding in the cash-and-carry sector

New Street Wine Shop changes strategy by consumer demand

Published: 09 January, 2015

After two years of trading, London's New Street Wine Shop is thriving. But, as Richard Foster discovers, its customers have entirely up-ended the original business plan

Rowan Gormley tells the naked truth about Naked Wines

Published: 09 January, 2015

No one can deny Naked Wines has an innovative business model, but is it everything it claims to be? Erin Smith asks founder Rowan Gormley to reveal all

Spirit Cartel drives growth through its premium range of spirits for the on-trade

Published: 05 December, 2014

Too often the world of high-end spirits can be a very grown-up affair, but not at Spirit Cartel, which is having great fun making a name for itself with an award-winning range of premium spirits.

Sophia Warner of the Pebbles Projects talks about 10 years of changing lives in South Africa's winelands

Published: 05 December, 2014

As the Pebbles Project celebrates its 10th year, co-founder Sophia Warner explains how the trade has helped provide support and education to children in South Africa's winelands and what a difference it makes.