Producers - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

DTC sales give Gusbourne post-pandemic boost

Published: 08 June, 2022

The latest financial results from English wine producer Gusbourne have reinforced the strong position of the category within the UK market.

Regenerative Viticulture is the way forward for Familia Torres

Published: 06 June, 2022

Vineyard owners shared their success stories of using the regenerative model to improve vineyard health at a recent symposium on the subject, organised by Familia Torres.

South Africa’s 2022 will still pack a punch despite smaller grape crop

Published: 06 June, 2022

The annual South African Wine Harvest Report suggests that the 2022 vintage “will wow consumers with exceptional quality wines," albeit from a smaller grape crop than in 2021.

Paul Symington Awarded a CMG in the Queen’s Honours List

Published: 06 June, 2022

Paul Symington has been awarded a CMG (Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George) in The Queen’s Birthday Honours List, published 2 June, for services to UK/Portugal relations and social, environmental sustainability in the Douro.

EPI acquires iconic Chianti Classico estate, Isole e Olena

Published: 06 June, 2022

Following the acquisition of Biondi-Santi in Montalcino in 2017, EPI is strengthening its presence in Italy with the addition of a leading Tuscan estate.

GCF adds Viña Las Niñas to its portfolio

Published: 06 June, 2022

Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) is continuing its international expansion programme with the recent acquisition of Viña Las Niñas in the Apalta region of Chile.

In addition to GCF’s 68 properties in France, the business has already extended its footprint in Europe with the purchase of Castillo de Aresan in Spain and Danubiana in Hungary.

Now GCF has made its first major international acquisition with Las Niñas, becoming an influential player in the Chilean wine industry. This move is part of GCF’s new strategic direction to expand its focus to that of a global wine producer with estates in premium wine regions around the world

Vergelegen Estate appoints winemaker Luke O'Cuinneagain

Published: 24 May, 2022

Vergelegen wine estate, one of South Africa’s premier wine producers, has announced the appointment of its new winemaker.

The Big G Trade Sessions returns in June

Published: 17 May, 2022

Wines of Germany is thrilled to be bringing back a live event, The Big G Trade Sessions, to help visitors get the most out of German wines.

Portman Group updates alcohol labelling guidelines

Published: 11 May, 2022

Today, the Portman Group, the alcohol social responsibility body and alcohol marketing self-regulator, has updated its Alcohol Labelling Guidelines, providing best practice guidance to alcohol producers.

Spiralling production costs: the battle for bottles – and more

Published: 09 May, 2022

One of the biggest challenges facing wine producers worldwide is the shortage of glass bottles – but that’s not the only problem that will dog 2022, as James Bayley reports.

Garda DOC Consortium seeks higher profile in UK market

Published: 09 May, 2022

The president of the Garda DOC Consortium, Paolo Fiorini, has announced plans to raise awareness of the region’s wines in the UK, following a study undertaken by Wine Intelligence.

Lanchester Group invests £20m in new self-powered bottling facility

Published: 06 May, 2022

Development of the UK’s newest wine bottling facility is well underway in County Durham, constructed with sustainability front of mind.

The rise and rise of sparkling wines

Published: 04 May, 2022

Sparkling wine has been stealing a march for some time. Established in quality terms long ago by the Champenois and rocketed into the mainstream via Prosecco’s global volume domination during the 2010s, the way is increasingly widening to allow alternative bubbles to rise to the top of the glass. This has certainly been the case over the past year. Following years of predictions that Crémant could carve out a niche in the ‘in-between’ price segment, it and others have seen tangible change after many years of waiting in the wings.

Simpsons’ toasts 10th anniversary with launch of non-vintage Chalklands

Published: 03 May, 2022

Simpsons Wine Estate in Kent has reached a major milestone with the release of its first non-vintage Chalklands Classic Cuvée English sparkling wine.

Global wine exports reach record high

Published: 03 May, 2022

This year 2021 saw a partial recovery of global consumption after the doldrums of 2020, the OIV said in its latest update. However, 2022’s outlook is looking increasingly uncertain due to the turbulence posed by the global supply chain crisis, the war in Ukraine and mounting energy prices.

Rioja rates its 2021 harvest as “very good” and commits to strategic sustainability initiatives

Published: 29 April, 2022

During an annual plenary session, held on 25 April, the Consejo Regulador DOCa Rioja rated the 2021 harvest as “very good”. As usual, the evaluation was ratified following an analytical process during which all wines produced under the Designation last year were sampled.

2021 a challenging year for Bordeaux winegrowers

Published: 28 April, 2022

The 2021 vintage once again put Bordeaux winegrowers to the test. But their technical choices, changes in practice, improvements and perseverance were rewarded with beneficial late-season weather conditions.

Beronia becomes first winery to be awarded sustainable benchmark

Published: 27 April, 2022

Beronia winery has become the first winery in the world to achieve a sustainable construction certification which recognises buildings which are sustainably constructed and have a low environmental impact.

California steps up to the plate

Published: 25 April, 2022

California is certainly a force to be reckoned with in the wine world, whether that be judged by size, value or quality. Accounting for some 90% of the US’s wine, considered alone the state comes up behind France, Spain and Italy as the fourth-largest producer in the world. What is more, California has carved out a high-end reputation, with investable ‘blue chip’ labels and other top quality wines to rival the best from Europe’s headlining regions, both in terms of status and the price tags to match. It is fair to say, though, that this has been achieved with more of a focus on America’s own wine-thirsty and deep-pocketed buyers.

Louis Latour Agencies expands portfolio with Provence

Published: 25 April, 2022

Louis Latour Agencies has announced a significant expansion to their portfolio in the shape of Provence wine producers, Château Sainte Roseline Cru Classé and Château des Demoiselles. The wineries will join the Louis Latour portfolio from May 2022.