Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

LWC funds over 500 customer WSET wine courses in 2025

Published: 22 December, 2025

Independent drinks distributor LWC has revealed that during 2025 it funded 526 trade customer WSET wine courses.

Year’s end boost for Armit as Chianti's Fèlsina onboarded

Published: 19 December, 2025

Fine wine importer Armit Wines has unveiled its latest addition to its extensive Italian portfolio, with the addition of Chianti Classico estate Fèlsina.

Alliance to host combined Burgundy and Rhône en primeur tasting

Published: 18 December, 2025

Wine importer Alliance Wine are set to host a combined en primeur tasting of Burgundy and Rhône fine wines this January.

Champagne Cattier launch: Premium on-trade ambitions for independent house

Published: 16 December, 2025

At Mayfair’s glitzy new Lilibet’s restaurant export director at Champagne Cattier, François Colas (pictured, centre) guided attendees through the producer’s range as well as its ambitions for the UK market, following its recent on-trade partnership with Enotria.

Alliance sees fine wine sales surge after H2Vin acquisition

Published: 10 December, 2025

Ayrshire-headquartered wine importer Alliance Wine has revealed its fine wine sales have shown significant growth since its acquisition of H2Vin – a 30% boost year on year.

Domaine Bousquet partners with Enotria

Published: 20 October, 2025

Argentine winery Domaine Bousquet has announced a new distribution partnership with Enotria.

Paso Robles producer DAOU and Bibendum announce distribution partnership

Published: 13 October, 2025

Paso Robles producer DAOU Vineyards has penned a distribution partnership with wine wholesaler Bibendum. The California producer is seeking to grow distribution through independent and luxury retail, as well as in the UK on-trade.

LWC’s shifting focus to wine

Published: 06 October, 2025

Two quite quirky facts about LWC come as a bit of a surprise, not least given the scale and success of what has grown over 45 years to become the UK’s largest independent drinks wholesaler. The first is that the company was born in – or at least because of – a pub in Edale, Derbyshire, initially being set up to self-supply drinks to the satisfaction of The Old Nag’s Head’s new owner and others like him. The second is that LWC simply stands for Licensed Wholesale Company, with founder (and pub owner) Robin Gray clearly not overly concerned about creating a market-slick name. This, though, is a company that clearly ‘does what it says on the tin’, and from those modest origins still continues to grow.

Enotria named importer for Mendoza’s Catena Zapata

Published: 02 October, 2025

Wine and spirits distributor Enotria has announced the onboarding of Mendoza’s Catena and Catena Zapata to its portfolio from 1 January 2026 onwards.

Hallgarten appoints Julien Lever to new head of operations role

Published: 30 September, 2025

Wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has announced the hiring of Julien Lever to the newly created role of head of operations.

Fells onboards Bodega Lagarde in Argentine expansion

Published: 29 September, 2025

Premium wine distributor Fells has announced the addition of Mendoza’s Bodega Lagarde to its portfolio.

Enotria announces strategic rebrand

Published: 18 September, 2025

Enotria&Coe has revealed that it’s bringing back its original name, Enotria.

Enotria&Coe CEO Julian Momen set to leave role

Published: 20 August, 2025

Majestic Wine Group has announced that CEO of Entoria&Coe Julian Momen is set retire and step down from the position at the end of September. Momen will remain in an advisory role until early 2026.

Wholesalers: Exploring the ownership of the trade’s top suppliers

Published: 08 August, 2025

From family to sovereign wealth fund-owned, the shape of wholesale ownership in the UK is diverse. An examination of the top 10 of the Harpers Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024 highlights this ever-changing picture, showing how ownership has evolved in recent years.

Mentzendorff onboards Exton Park in Hampshire addition

Published: 06 August, 2025

Importer Mentzendorff has added Hampshire winery Exton Park to its portfolio.

Bancroft onboards Yarra Valley’s Oakridge Wines to portfolio

Published: 28 July, 2025

Importer Bancroft Wines has announced the addition of Oakridge Wines from Australia’s Yarra Valley to its portfolio.

Hallgarten continues portfolio expansion with first cognac

Published: 25 July, 2025

The importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has continued its portfolio expansion apace with the addition of Cognac producer Frapin.

LWC opens sustainable depot in Merseyside

Published: 25 July, 2025

Independent wholesaler LWC has opened a 74,500sq ft state-of-the-art distribution depot in Knowsley, Merseyside, in what it says is “a major investment in the region and setting a new standard for service and sustainability”.