Virgin Wines revenue down by £10m

Virgin Wines, one of the UK’s largest direct-to-consumer online wine retailers, has today (25 October) revealed its audited Annual Results for the period ended 30 June 2023 (FY23), are ‘in line with expectations’.

Morandé Wine Group reveals new winemaking facility and Waitrose listings

Chilean Producer Morandé Wine Group has launched a new winery and secured new UK listings with Waitrose and Direct Wines.

Harpers Sustainability Charter Spotlight: Chris Millson, Direct Wines

As 2023’s first new signatory to Harpers Sustainability Charter, Direct Wines’ head of sustainability Chris Millson talks Andrew Catchpole through the necessity of progress.

Scorched vineyards in Europe add to inflationary woes

Inflation has reached boiling point for the wine sector – with climate change adding to a melting pot of pressures which are placing increasing strain on the industry. 

Bouncing Back Q&A: David Gates, Direct Wines

It’s been a one-of-a-kind 18 months for the trade. Here, as we begin to push into the second half of the second year of the pandemic, Harpers is catching up with businesses to find out how they’re focusing on recovering from the shock, and what challenges and opportunities lie ahead.

Harpers Reassessing Ribera webinar to explore evolving face of region

Join Harpers’ editor Andrew Catchpole, Tim Atkin MW, plus a panel of leading winemakers and trade buyers to discover how Ribera del Duero is hitting the sweet spot with its new styles of wines at our Reassessing Ribera webinar on Tuesday 17 November at 3pm.

Tim Atkin MW: What Rowan Gormley could learn from Tony Laithwaite

Wine critic, broadcaster, co-chair of the IWC

New Direct Wines chief advocates getting more personal with consumer

David Thatcher, new group chief executive of Direct Wines, says the key to success in 2015 is a continued focus on personalisation, as he prepares to take up the role later this month.

Direct Wines' new chief David Thatcher shares his vision

David Thatcher, incoming group chief executive of Direct Wines, tells us how he is planning to build on the group's successful formula, ramp up personalisation and how Prosecco outsold Champagne 2:1 over Christmas.

Drinks industry leaders praise outgoing Direct Wines' chief Simon McMurtrie

Drinks industry leaders have heaped praise on outgoing Direct Wines' group chief executive Simon McMurtrie, as he prepares to take up a series of roles as  chairman of different businesses.

Direct Wines appoints David Thatcher as group ceo as Simon McMurtrie steps down

Simon McMurtrie, Direct Wines group chief executive, is stepping down later this month to act as chairman for a number of businesses, with current UK managing director David Thatcher replacing him.

Justin Howard-Sneyd starts wine club for Domaine of the Bee estate

Justin Howard-Sneyd MW is following in the footsteps of boss Tony Laithwaite by starting a wine club for sales from his Languedoc estate Domaine of the Bee.

How retailers are using consumers to drive their brand image and strategy

The new, all-singing, all-dancing London Wine Fair was an apt setting for Harpers debate on how companies can harness consumer power to drive their businesses forward.

Laithwaite's pioneers online recommendations with Amazon-style service

Laithwaite's is offering customers Amazon-style tasting recommendations based on an algorithm that creates a taste fingerprint for each wine on its website.

Wine must connect emotionally with consumers hears Harpers debate

Making an emotional connection with consumers, and creating personalised, shareable and useful content is vital to selling wine, heard Harpers debate at London Wine Fair.

London Wine Fair opens with Harpers debate on consumer power

How companies can successfully harness consumer power as the central point of their business strategy will be the theme of this morning's Harpers debate on the opening day of the London Wine Fair.

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Sunday Times Rich List reveals wealthiest families in the wine and spirit trade

Laithwaite's owners Tony and Barbara Laithwaite saw their personal wealth increase by £23 million to £148 million in 2014, after a £60 million decline last year, according to the Sunday Times Rich List 2014.

Rich List: Laithwaite's Wine owners see personal wealth dip by £60m

Harpers London Wine Fair debate: how consumers can power growth in your business

How major brands and retailers are succeeding in making their customers their biggest business assets through peer to peer recommendations, social media, online clubs and communities will be the focus of the Harpers Debate at this year's London Wine Fair.