Italy’s hot topics

Producer Q&A: Haysley MacDonald, TUKU Maori Wine Collective

Launched in New Zealand in 2018, TUKU is the world’s first Maori winemakers collective, bringing together partners producing premium varietals in some of the nation’s most illustrious winegrowing regions: Hawkes Bay, Marlborough, North Canterbury and Central Otago.

Producer Q&A: Tiffani Graydon, Yealands Wine Group

CEO Tiffani Graydon talks to Andrew Catchpole about joining Yealands just ahead of the pandemic and where she’s driving the company now.

Producer Q&A: Tim Lightbourne, Invivo

As Invivo’s Graham Norton partnership delivers its 15 millionth bottle of wine, Andrew Catchpole taps into co-founder Tim Lightbourne’s MO. 

Producer Q&A: Bec Hardy, Bec Hardy Wines

Sixth-generation winemaker Bec Hardy talks to Andrew Catchpole about inheriting responsibility for Pertaringa and Tipsy Hill, her new Bec Hardy label and the demands of upkeeping a family’s winemaking dynasty. 

Producer Q&A: Praisy Dlamini, Adama Wines

Following on from the Her Wine Collection range from all-female South African company Adama Wines, Praisy Dlamini, winemaker and general manager, Adama Wines, talks to Andrew Catchpole about her new Amandla brand, inspiring the next generation and the importance of mentors.

Q&A: Peter Vinding-Diers – the 'viking in the vineyard'

Viking in the Vineyard author Peter Vinding-Diers has had a one-of-a-kind winemaking life. Jo Gilbert catches up with the Danish-born vigneron on his latest venture – a selection of standout Sicilian Syrahs at his Montecarrubo winery.

Producer Q&A: Gabriel Asseily, Château Biac

Gabriel Asseily, co-owner and head of production at Château Biac, talks Andrew Catchpole through the challenges and triumphs of swapping a cosmopolitan life in London to head up a family-bought estate in Côtes de Bordeaux.

Producer Q&A: Andrés Valero, Grupo Avinea, talks organic

Eighteen months into his role as head of sustainability for Grupo Avinea (Argento), Andrés Valero explains to Andrew Catchpole how organic provides a pathway into sustainability.

Producer Q&A: Charles Perez, Mas Bécha

Charles Perez of Mas Bécha is passionate about his local Roussillon climate and soils, but talks up the human touch in the trilogy that constitutes terroir. Andrew Catchpole tunes in among his vines

Producer Q&A: Talking flora and fauna

Quinta da Boeira’s Helena Teixeira talks to Barnaby Eales about microbiology, minimum intervention and shaking up Port classifications.

Q&A: Vanessa Cherruau, Château De Plaisance

Vanessa Cherruau, co-owner and winemaker at Château De Plaisance, picked an interesting time to take over 22ha of vineyards in Anjou’s prestigious Rochefort-sur-Loire region – home to the only Premier and Grand Cru in the Loire – in 2019, just before the pandemic and with a baby on the way. She speaks to Jo Gilbert about past and future, sweet and dry, and why being biodynamic isn’t ‘crazy’ at all.

Bouncing Back Q&A: Jacob Leadley, CEO & winemaker, Black Chalk Wine

Continuing our seasonal Bouncing Back Q&A series, Jacob Leadley takes stock of the challenges and lessons of 2021 and considers the path ahead for the trade.

Producer spotlight: Steve Smith MW, Smith & Sheth

From Craggy Range to Smith & Sheth, winemaker Steve Smith has long been a driving force on New Zealand’s winemaking scene. Always aiming ever higher, he fills Andrew Catchpole in on how it’s going.

Producer Q&A: Niël Groenewald and Zinaschke Steyn, Nederburg

Nederburg is the largest exporter of premium wine in South Africa, carrying a torch as a standard bearer for the country worldwide. Jo Gilbert talks bans, lockdown harvests and mental health resets with two of the company’s leading figures, MD Niël Groenewald and red winemaker, Zinaschke Steyn,

Q&A: Alberto Buratto & Gabriele Stringa, Ferro 13

With quirkily designed labels such as The Hipster, The Gentleman and The Nerd reflecting the personalities behind Ferro 13, this iconoclastic producer also makes wine in a novel way to reveal an engaging benchmark for each region. Andrew Catchpole catches up with two of the co-founders, Alberto Buratto and Gabriele Stringa

LWF: Digital efficiencies helping with the big three – content flow, stock flow, cash flow

A mental shift around harnessing digital capabilities and automation this year has moved businesses towards stock management systems that free up time and capital to focus on sharing information and storytelling with customers.

FMV loses two more from portfolio

Champagne Jacquesson and Roussillon vineyard Le Soula are the latest producers to move its UK distribution from Fields, Morris & Verdin (FMV), the wholesale arm of Berry Bros & Rudd.

Future of wine labels is in reflecting the drinker, says Cox

A shift from traditional appellation-based, heritage and winery-focused labels to those that are “more about the market” will be hastened in the wake of the pandemic if wine is to compete with rivals drinks categories.

Q&A: Etienne Debanné, president, & Gabriel Rivero, winemaker, IXSIR

Swapping lunch in London for a live link to Lebanon, Andrew Catchpole catches up with a rising Middle Eastern star.