Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Indies Survey: What’s the deal with duty?

Published: 17 August, 2023

Harpers wants to hear from indie retailers as to how the 1 August duty rises – and associated costs – are impacting business.

50 Best Indies: Deadline extended

Published: 11 July, 2023

There is still time to add nominations for Harpers’ 50 Best Indies – the definitive list of the best indie merchants operating in the UK.

The Drop: Bringing it home

Published: 20 June, 2023

Bottle shop, wine bar or app? The Drop’s marketing director Helen Fletcher explains to Andrew Catchpole how it is all three and how this popular hybrid is set to grow.

Theatre of Wine celebrates hitting 20

Published: 28 September, 2022

London’s Theatre of Wine has turned 20, marking two decades since founder Daniel Illsley founded the merchant in Greenwich following the new wave of wine interest created by Oddbins and Majestic.

Say ‘Prost’ with the return of 31 Days of German Riesling

Published: 20 April, 2022

The annual immersion in Riesling is back for its 11th edition this July, with new activities promised and ramped up digital backing.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Matt Tipping, CEO, Jeroboams

Published: 22 December, 2021

Matt Tipping reflects on keeping the wheels turning through 2021 and how valuable new custom should bring cheer into the new year, despite the looming additional tax burden on wine.

WoodWinters adds historic Veneto estate to portfolio

Published: 21 December, 2021

Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani, a leading winery in the Veneto region, has become the newest member of the WoodWinters portfolio.

New Horizons Q&A: Archie McDiarmid, Luvians

Published: 09 December, 2020

With an end game to the coronavirus in sight sometime in 2021 as vaccine rollouts begin and up-to-the-wire Brexit uncertainties playing out an extraordinarily tough year, Harpers has been canvassing drinks businesses as to their predictions for trade deep into the new year.

Q&A: Sam Owens, founder, Thirsty Cambridge

Published: 24 August, 2020

With his iconoclastic and straight-talking approach, Sam Owens walks Andrew Catchpole through life as a moreishly modern indie

Living with lockdown – Bibendum

Published: 28 April, 2020

Michael Saunders, Bibendum CEO and chairman of The Drinks Trust and WSTA, dives deep into the challenges thrown up by the current crisis. Andrew Catchpole reports

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.

Indies: Food for thought

Published: 04 March, 2020

Thinking of offering a hybrid experience? Andrew Catchpole asks two quite different operators how they balance being both a wine merchant and a bar

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.

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.

Moreno Wines: celebrating half a century

Published: 24 January, 2018

As pioneer Spanish champion Moreno Wines clocks up 50 years in the business, Andrew Catchpole caught up with Abbi and Marcel Moreno at this stalwart of the trade.

Meet the Buyers: Darren Willis, owner, Grape & Grind

Published: 03 January, 2018

Like many professionals working in the trade, a career in wine was never part of the original plan – I studied mechanical engineering at university, graduating in 1997. Yet after completing a WSET course in London, I applied for a position at Harvey Nichols in 2001. I soon fell in love with both the people and subject, a passion that endures today.

Looking ahead: Ruth Yates, founder and MD, Cork’s Out

Published: 20 December, 2017

With the all-important Christmas trading period underway - and hopefully turning passion into profit for the UK’s wine and spirits operators - we at Harpers are looking ahead past New Year to see what’s in store for the trade in 2018.

Independents: The art of being a specialist

Published: 16 October, 2017

Having a speciality can be a boon for a merchant. Andrew Catchpole invites a few to share the pros and cons of sourcing, selling and communicating such an offer

Q&A: Phil Innes, owner, Loki Wine

Published: 08 June, 2017

With two new openings planned this year (God of Mischief willing), Loki’s Phil Innes talks to Andrew Catchpole about business and why the indie scene is on a roll.