Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Bibendum-owner C&C Group's operating profit rises with revenue stable

Published: 28 May, 2025

The owner of importer Bibendum, C&C Group has announced its results for the financial year ending 28 February 2025.

Venus Wine and Spirits expansion continues with new Birmingham depot

Published: 14 May, 2025

Venus Wine and Spirits Merchants is poised to open a fifth distribution centre one year after the business was acquired by the Booker Group in 2024.

Profile: Thorman Hunt’s Simon Thorpe MW

Published: 13 May, 2025

Being selfish, please don’t tell the world how good TH are!” As pleas of the ‘don’t spoil the party for those in the know’ go, this comment, from a London-based wine consultant, stands as pretty flattering, whichever way you slice it. And it certainly seems to fit with the image of Thorman Hunt out in the wider trade; namely that this team of self-described ‘wine shippers’ quietly gets on with doing what it does well – shifting great wines without fanfare or fuss. And, as anyone who has attended its tastings will doubtless attest, the French-dominated, generally smaller domaine-led portfolio lands some beautiful organoleptic punches, with subtle and elegant styles being to the fore.

Diageo GB announces new marketing and innovation director

Published: 30 April, 2025

Drinks giant Diageo Great Britain has announced the appointment of Ursula Mejía Melgar as its new marketing and innovation director. The role will see the new director responsible for shaping leading brands including Guiness, Smirnoff and Gordon’s in the UK market.

LWC and MDCV enter new on-trade partnership

Published: 24 April, 2025

Producer of English and Provençal wines MDCV UK has announced a fresh on-trade distribution partnership with wholesaler LWC. The deal will see LWC distribute two of MDCV’s English wine brands: Silverhand Estate and Harlot.

Mangrove expands Japanese whisky offering with Togouchi

Published: 24 April, 2025

UK spirits distributor Mangrove Global has announced the addition of whisky producer Togouchi to its portfolio. The onboarding will see Mangrove’s Japanese whisky ranks swell from two – Akashi and Yamazakura being the existing brands – to three.

Bibendum recruits Corpinnat producer Sabaté i Coca to portfolio

Published: 16 April, 2025

Importer and on-trade specialist Bibendum has announced the expansion of its sparkling portfolio with the addition of Corpinnat producer Sabaté i Coca.

North South Wines appoints new hires amid growth push

Published: 16 April, 2025

Bicester-based importer North South Wines has announced the appointment of two new team members. Holly Ninnes (pictured, left) joins in the newly created role of commercial buyer, with Mark Juggins (right) stepping in as the company’s latest head of off-trade. The new additions are part of a wider five-year growth strategy which seeks to expand the business’s commercial footprint.

Majestic completes acquisition of Enotria&Coe

Published: 15 April, 2025

Majestic has confirmed the completion of its acquisition of wine and spirit distributor Enotria&Coe as part of its drive to become the pre-eminent supplier of wines and spirits across the UK.

Singing the same tune: Hallgarten and Royal Albert Hall partner

Published: 09 April, 2025

Famed London music venue the Royal Albert Hall has announced Hallgarten & Novum Wines as its latest Brand Partner, with the importer continuing to expand its commercial footprint.

Milestone Wines adds sommelier Marcello Colletti to London team

Published: 21 March, 2025

Lancashire–based importer Milestone Wines has added sommelier Marcello Colletti to its London on-trade team. The role will see Colletti head up restaurant sales within the M25.

Maltby&Greek announces new head of wine

Published: 07 March, 2025

Leading Greek wine supplier Maltby&Greek has promoted Alexandra Badoi to head of wine.

Bancroft adds Norfolk winery to portfolio

Published: 07 March, 2025

Bancroft Wines has added South Norfolk-based winery Flint Vineyard to its portfolio. The partnership means Bancroft will now become the exclusive UK distributor of the East Anglian winery’s two sparkling wines, a Charmat and a Charmat Rose.

Bibendum announces slate of new appointments

Published: 25 February, 2025

The premium wine specialist, Bibendum Wine, has announced a series of new appointments in its sales and commercial teams. Leading the changes on the sales side is the appointment of Andrew Ingham as sales director, while Ntola Obazee (pictured) takes on the role of e-commerce director within Bibendum’s commercial team.

Hallgarten recruits Madame F to rosé portfolio

Published: 12 February, 2025

Madame F, the queer-owned rosé brand with an ethos of championing the LGBTQ+ community within the wine trade, has been added to Hallgarten & Novum Wine’s expanding roster.

Bancroft appoints new sales director

Published: 09 January, 2025

Bancroft Wines has announced the appointment of Tony Schendel to its governance board, joining the team as sales director following an illustrious career in the trade.

Hallgarten pops the cork on Nicolas Feuillatte partnership

Published: 02 January, 2025

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has rung in the new year by becoming the exclusive new importer for Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte in the UK, as of yesterday (1 January 2025).

Jason Yapp announces retirement

Published: 20 December, 2024

Yapp Brothers has announced the retirement of Jason Yapp after a successful tenure of 32 years at the firm.

Profile: H2Vin and Alliance Wine

Published: 12 November, 2024

The merger of H2Vin with Alliance Wine will play up the strengths of both companies, creating new opportunities across the board. Andrew Catchpole meets the drivers behind the business.