Independents - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Harpers 50 Best Indies to be announced

Published: 22 August, 2019

The countdown is on to the big reveal of the UK’s 50 Best Indies awards on 9th September.

Looking ahead: Ted Sandbach, managing director, Oxford Wine Company

Published: 13 August, 2019

As the first half of 2019 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Harpers teams with Wines Direct to exclusively reveal Consumer Awards 2019

Published: 05 August, 2019

Harpers has teamed up with Wines Direct to exclusively reveal the winners of Wines Direct Consumer Awards 2019 (indies and large merchants) alongside new insight into shopping behaviours drawn from the responses of more than 1,700 consumers

Looking ahead: Matt Hennings, managing director, Hennings Wine

Published: 31 July, 2019

As the first half of 2019 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, ongoing trends and opportunities

Milroys gears up to open second permanent venue

Published: 25 July, 2019

Whisky specialist Milroys Soho has revealed it is opening its second permanent residence in a townhouse within the heart of Spitalfields.

Jeroboams: growing an empire

Published: 20 June, 2019

With Jeroboams’ takeover of Prohibition Wines now complete, Jo Gilbert caught up with the London merchant to find out how it continues to successfully adapt its DNA

Goedhuis & Co appoints senior fine wine & spirits buyer

Published: 11 June, 2019

Goedhuis & Co has appointed Kate Janecek to the newly created role of senior fine wine and spirits buyer as it ramps up its spirits offering.

Sizing up the options on the high street

Published: 03 June, 2019

Are all high-street wine shops doomed to go the way of Oddbins and Majestic? Chris Wilson takes the pulse of the independent wine trade

Moreno returns to roots with Flora Fine Wines

Published: 10 April, 2019

Wine trade veteran Abbi Moreno is opening a new venture, Flora Fine Wines, on 11 April bringing a mix of organic, biodynamic and natural wines to northwest London.

Harpers on Tour: Indies Down Under

Published: 13 March, 2019

There is a point on every trip, once travel fatigue has passed and the daily rhythm of tasting, talking and tucker becomes the norm, when a borrowed moment of freedom over a bottle of wine captures the spirit of the tour. During a recent indie merchant buyers trip to Australia this came in the refreshingly left-field shape of a magnum of Brash Higgins Zibibbo, providing a rather early sundowner in the leafy garden of the McLaren Vale Motel, as the group relaxed ahead of a big tasting and dinner.

Latest round of Vindependents share options support growth

Published: 07 March, 2019

Members of the independent merchant-owned Vindependents have voted to issue a new round of share options in the company, allowing new members that take up the offer to have a say in how the buying group is run.

Armit backs Italy with several new agency partnerships

Published: 07 March, 2019

Armit Wines is flexing its muscles in its Italian portfolio, having added several new producers through agencies or partner agencies.

Q&A: Dean Harper, owner of HarperWells shares his Norwich knowledge

Published: 12 February, 2019

James Lawrence talks Brexit, MUP, millennials and alternative formats with indie Dean Harper of HarperWells

Q&A: Tom Ashworth, Yapp Brothers

Published: 30 January, 2019

As celebrated Wiltshire merchant Yapp Brothers heads into its 50th anniversary year, chief executive Tom Ashworth talks to James Lawrence about what the months ahead may hold

Win a buyers’ trip to Franciacorta with Harpers

Published: 21 January, 2019

With the sparkling wine category continuing to grow, Harpers and Franciacorta have teamed up to offer a fantastic buyers’ trip to the beautiful Franciacorta region.

Former Bibendum buyer joins Berry Bros & Rudd

Published: 18 December, 2018

Matt Smith will be joining Berry Bros & Rudd where he will be taking over responsibility for the company’s Italian portfolio.

Highbury Vintners and Hennings Wine win Shop Rioja

Published: 10 December, 2018

This year’s Shop Rioja initiative delivered a collective sales uplift of 81% during October for the 61 retailers taking part, with Highbury Vintners and Hennings Wine taking top spot.

Your local, approachable indie wine merchant

Published: 26 November, 2018

Following The Vineking’s soft opening of The Tasting Rooms in Reigate last month, Lisa Riley meets the brains behind the new venture and hears about the raison d’être – accessibility

Vindependents gin launch flags further expansion into spirits

Published: 14 November, 2018

The Vindependents has launched its first gin, with rum, bourbon, cognac and vodka to follow, as this independent merchant member-owned buying group looks to expand its portfolio into premium spirits.