Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Record number of gold medals at WineGB awards

Published: 22 July, 2024

Wines from 13 counties were honoured with trophies at this year’s WineGB Awards, which awarded a record number of Gold medals.

Indies: Retail only, please…

Published: 01 July, 2024

James Lawrence finds that ‘hybrid’ wine shops with a food and drink-in offer are not always a panacea.

Majestic launches in Channel Islands

Published: 15 April, 2024

Majestic has unveiled plans to expand into the Channel Islands as it doubles down on bricks-and-mortar growth.

Majestic acquires Vagabond Wines

Published: 05 April, 2024

Wine retailer Majestic has bought Vagabond Wines after the business went into administration last month.

Vagabond under ‘no threat of closure’ despite appointing administrators

Published: 07 March, 2024

A spokesperson for Vagabond Wines, the popular ‘self-pour’ wine bar chain founded by Stephen Finch in 2009, has confirmed the business will continue to trade as usual despite running into financial difficulties.

On-trade: Sporting chances

Published: 07 February, 2024

As a summer of major fixtures looms, quality on-trade outlets are increasingly embracing lucrative shared viewing experiences, reports James Bayley.

Lebanon round table: East meets West

Published: 22 March, 2023

Inviting curious trade palates to taste and discuss Lebanese wines for the UK market, co-hosts Andrew Catchpole and Harpers Lebanon Report author Michael Karam unearthed a wealth of enthusiasm for the country’s engaging offer.

First ever ‘French Champions’ awarded at VIN

Published: 02 February, 2023

The first-ever edition of The French Champion Awards took place at VIN, the flagship trade tasting dedicated to French wines in London organised by Business France, the French governmental trade agency.

Drinks Trust and Vagabond launch ‘well-being day’ for hospitality

Published: 15 December, 2022

The Drinks Trust is teaming up with Vagabond Wines to launch Hospitality Covered, a new initiative beginning with a wellness day by and for drinks hospitality staff, this January.

Industry leaders lined up for Rebooting the On-Trade webinar

Published: 08 February, 2021

With restaurants, bars and hotels facing unprecedented challenges when the hospitality sector begins to re-open this spring/summer, Harpers and Trade Hospitality App have teamed up to bring together top operators for our forthcoming Building Back Better: Rebooting the On-Trade for 2021 webinar.

Vagabond appoints MD to allow Finch to go back to ‘what he does best’

Published: 07 January, 2021

Vagabond Wines has appointed Matthew Fleming, formerly of Be At One and Stonegate Pub Company, as its new MD.

Looking ahead: Stephen Finch, Vagabond Wines

Published: 03 January, 2019

Once again we are catching up with the trade to find out how businesses looked to make the most of the all-important Christmas trading period, while also looking ahead to the challenges and opportunities 2019 will bring.

Looking ahead: Stephen Finch, Vagabond Wines

Published: 07 August, 2018

As the first half of 2018 draws to a close, Harpers asked key trade figures to highlight the current challenges, on-going trends and opportunities

Vagabond reveals first wines to come out of new Battersea winery

Published: 20 March, 2018

Vagabond Wines has revealed the first releases to come out of its new winery in the old Battersea Power Station, with an English fizz leading the way.