Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Margaret’s

Published: 22 July, 2025

The learned city of Cambridge will have its culinary scene bolstered with the addition of Margaret’s. Touted as the younger sibling of Michelin-starred Restaurant 22, co-founders Alex Olivier and Sam Carter hope to bring a more relaxed vibe to the city’s Chesterton Road. Modern British bistro plates will be served at both lunch and dinner, with highlights ranging from the simple sophistication of roasted lemon sole to hearty Sunday roasts such as an Old Winchester, celeriac and caramelised onion pie served with all the associated trimmings. Wines are curated by Georgia Goddard and sourced from well-loved local indies in the shape of Thorne Wines and Cambridge Wine Merchants. The continually evolving wine list will offer a unique array including a skin contact Gewürztraminer.

One of UK’s oldest vineyards hits the market for £2m

Published: 24 August, 2022

Chilford Hall Vineyard and Winery, one of England’s oldest established commercial vineyards, has hit the open market with a guide price of £2 million.

Upbeat mood at Vindependents tasting

Published: 18 January, 2022

Signs that life is returning to something closer to normal, at least for the UK’s independent merchants, were borne out in London yesterday (17 January) at a well-attended Vindependents tasting in Camden.

Cambridge’s Veni Vidi Bibi charity bash delivers for children

Published: 09 September, 2021

Cambridge Wine Merchants inaugural Veni Vidi Bibi charity dinner managed to raise £5,735 for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices in one sitting.

Cambridge Wine launches inaugural Veni Vidi Bibi charity event

Published: 14 July, 2021

Cambridge Wine Merchants is organising a charity wine dinner in Cambridge at the beginning of September, loosely based on La Paulée, held annually in Burgundy and others places around the world.

Gutter & Stars releases debut wine

Published: 28 April, 2021

Cambridge winery Gutter & Stars is gearing up to launch its debut vintage on 3 May 2021, eight months after opening its doors at Chesterton Mill, in the north of the city.

Gin Masterclass for Independent Retailers

Published: 08 March, 2021

Does quality gin float your boat? And what difference does it make to the distilling process when the Master Distiller is also a Master of Wine (MW)? To find out more, read on and register for our exciting Gin Masterclass for Independent Retailers…

Chris Wilson unveils details of new urban winery

Published: 01 September, 2020

Winemaker and wine journalist Chris Wilson has announced his much talked about Cambridge urban winery will start production this month.

Cambridge indies react to coronavirus uncertainty

Published: 20 March, 2020

Cambridge-based Chris Wilson gets on his bike for a taste of what it’s like for those at the sharp end of wine retail.

Essex and East Anglia primed for viticultural expansion say climate change researchers

Published: 28 January, 2020

Climate change researchers have pegged Essex and Norfolk as the next major areas to plant as warmer summers extend the area where grapes can be grown productively in the UK.