Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Harpers 30 Under 30 finalist invests in bricks and mortar

Published: 22 November, 2024

Entrepreneur, cheese enthusiast and media personality Jessica Summer has opened her first shop and bar in the London Borough of Harrow.

Indies focus: Manchester's bright northern lights

Published: 12 April, 2023

Jo Gilbert struck out for Manchester to discover what makes the city tick post-Covid.

Leave it to Marc Hough, owner of Manchester hybrid Cork of the North, to give a comprehensive summary of the city in which he lives and works in the space of 30 seconds.

New Zealand Wine Week returns for 2023

Published: 16 January, 2023

After the success of New Zealand Wine Week events in 2021 and 2022, New Zealand Winegrowers (NZW) has announced that it will be kicking off the third New Zealand Wine Week on 30 January.

50 Best Indies 2023 ranking: 20-12 revealed

Published: 09 January, 2023

This week marks the launch of our 50 Best Indies 2023, where we are celebrating the best businesses working in the UK’s thriving drinks merchant scene.

Vagabond Bar & Kitchen lands at Heathrow

Published: 16 June, 2022

Heathrow Airport, Terminal 5, Hounslow TW6 2GA

Hybrid on a roll

Published: 15 February, 2022

As the pandemic lifts, seminal wine bar group Vinoteca is spreading its wings once more. Andrew Catchpole reports

London Wine Fair to embrace hybrid model in 2022

Published: 13 January, 2022

The organisers of London Wine Fair (LWF) have confirmed that the landmark event will adopt a new format this year.

Picking up with The Drop

Published: 19 August, 2021

Blending nationwide delivery app, wine bars that retail and ambitious franchisee model, The Drop is taking hybrid to the next level. Andrew Catchpole reports.

On-demand wine app spearhead's hybrid wine bar roll out across UK

Published: 08 July, 2021

An on-demand wine app offering one-hour delivery of artisan wines is to be rolled out across the UK, anchored by a planned 85 hybrid wine bar and retail stores operating as local delivery hubs.

Events: A hybrid future

Published: 09 June, 2021

With a degree of normality beginning to return, Andrew Catchpole gets a taste of the tastings to come.

Success for Manchester hybrid as prohibition notice is revoked

Published: 04 February, 2021

Blossom Street Social has been allowed to open again after a prohibition notice prevented the hybrid business from operating as a retail outlet.

Blossom Street Social files prohibition appeal

Published: 21 January, 2021

Manchester hybrid Blossom Street Social is fighting a recent Prohibition Notice which has since led to the closure of the shop/bar enterprise.

Kate Goodman, Reserve Wines: Back to Business Q&A

Published: 25 August, 2020

As the trade measures up to extraordinary times and swings through summer, leading businesses and operators take stock of trading conditions in the new normal.

Living with lockdown - Oxford Wine Company

Published: 17 April, 2020

Ted Sandbach, MD, at Oxford Wine Company, gives Lisa Riley a glimpse of the realities of life as a multifaceted indie merchant adjusting to lockdown.

Q&A: Riaz Syed, owner, Stonewines

Published: 19 September, 2019

When Riaz Syed opened Stonewines in north London’s Whetstone, he opted for a frequently changing portfolio of more esoteric wines, specifically targeting a younger demographic. Andrew Catchpole dropped by to find out how it’s gone

Hybrid indies: Opportunities and pitfalls

Published: 21 August, 2019

The rise in independent merchants looking at the hybrid model and offering a drink-in option to complement traditional off-trade sales has seen the landscape change in recent years.

A brave new world disease resistant vines

Published: 24 April, 2019

As disease-resistant vine quality improves, Darren Smith assesses how environmental pressures may radically alter the viticultural landscape

Jerry Lockspieser: Is it time to change the rules about wine?

Published: 18 April, 2019

Many years ago after visiting Vignoble de La Jasse, one of our excellent organic suppliers in the Rhone Valley, the owner Daniel Combe and I went for a coffee in his favourite roadside café. As we sat sipping our drinks, first one then a second large wine transporter went roaring past.

GinKing kicks off wave of NPD

Published: 21 March, 2019

GinKing will add a range of new variants to its portfolio this spring, starting with the launch of GinKing Original Rosé.

Abbi Moreno plans new hybrid wine business after parting ways with family firm

Published: 13 August, 2018

Abbi Moreno, third generation scion of family wine merchant Moreno Wines, has parted company with her old firm after 21 years, announcing her intention to open a hybrid wine shop-come-wine bar business in early 2019.