H2Vin boosts fine wine focus with two new recruits

By Gemma McKenna

Published: 20 October, 2014

H2Vin is ramping up its fine wine focus by recruiting Neil Sommerfelt MW and Alistair Lacy, of Lacy Fine Wines, to the team.

Sommerfelt is the firm's new fine wine buyer while Lacy takes up the role of head of fine wine.

The pair will initially focus on expanding the en primeur campaigns and fine wine parcels with the aim of extending H2Vin's reach into the private customer channel, whilst also boosting its for the on-trade and independent wine merchants.

Sommerfelt has worked as a buyer at Waitrose and Safeway, as well as for the Jeroboams Group for 12 years, incorporating Laytons Wine Merchants. He has a particular interest in premium wines of the classical European vineyards.

Alistair Lacy has almost 20 years experience of working in the wine trade, specialising in sourcing fine wines from across Europe and selling to high net worth private clients around the world. He previously worked for Justerini & Brooks and Fine + Rare, before setting up Lacy Fine Wines in 2010.

H2Vin director Christian Honorez said: "Alistair is exactly what H2Vin needs to develop our private clients department. His great knowledge of the sector adds an invaluable strength to the rest of our team and his extensive experience means that he has almost instantly integrated into the dynamics of H2Vin.

"I have known Neil for many years and it was an easy decision to have him on board. His wealth of experience will bring new horizons to H2Vin, where he will be able to help fine tune the Burgundy and Rhône portfolios whilst also seriously developing our Bordeaux and Italian lists, as well as all of the fine wines offerings."

H2Vin was founded in 2009 by Christian Honorez and Master Sommelier Matt Wilkin. Honorez's sourcing experience, combined with Wilkins' wine knowledge, has helped build the firm's reputation across the on-trade and private customers.

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