Bigger tasting for Berkmann at 60

Berkmann Wine Cellars celebrated 60 years of tastings in its biggest venue of recent times at London’s Guildhall yesterday (20 February), where throngs queued out of the door to taste brands like Antinori, California’s Ridge Vineyards and Vega Sicilia.

North South Wines and the Giesen Group join forces

North South Wines has announced it will serve as the exclusive distributor for New Zealand brands Giesen Wines and Ara Wines in the UK market.

Hallgarten adds Piedmont’s Vietti to premium portfolio

Specialist wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has been appointed exclusive UK distributor for Vietti, the Piedmont family producer famed for its crus in Barolo and Barbaresco.

Exclusive: Broadland reinstalls corking line after 15 years

Norfolk bottler Broadland Drinks is re-installing its corking line after a 15-year absence in a move which marks a significant re-emergence of cork back into the UK drinks scene, Harpers can reveal.

Coterie continues recruitment drive with another Bibendum hire

James Scott is the latest name to join the ranks of Coterie Holdings in another move which continues the trend of key industry names jumping ship from Bibendum.

Good Wine Good People launches wholesale portfolio

Boutique online retailer Good Wine Good People (GWGP) is launching a trade arm, with the first wines now available to the UK on and off-trade.

Coterie Holdings appoints Andrew Shaw as wine director

Kingsland expands bottled at source range with Boland Cellar

Major bottler Kingsland Drinks has signed an exclusive deal with Boland Cellar in a move which will expand the company’s bottled at source premium portfolio to include South Africa.

Hallgarten gains Investors in People Silver accreditation

Specialist wine importer, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, has achieved Investors in People Silver accreditation, the company has announced.

Denbies charity ball pays tribute to Litmus’s Mike Florence

The wine trade is being invited to attend a charity vineyard ball at Denbies Wine Estate in order to honour the memory of Litmus Wine’s Mike Florence, with all proceeds going to support the UK’s leading cancer hospital.

Hallgarten lands Rathbone Wine Group distribution

Specialist wine importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines has been appointed exclusive UK distributor of The Rathbone Wine Group, a leading family owned group of Australian fine wine producers which are now making the leap from Bibendum. 

Liberty doubles down on ‘giving good reasons to buy’

Liberty Wines always comes out batting strong at its busy annual portfolio tasting at The Oval, and this year was no exception, with some 25 countries represented, along with fortified, spirits, alcohol free and olive oils.

Berkmann turns 60 with Vega Sicilia reveal at National Gallery

Berkmann Wine Cellars began its 60th anniversary year with a splash last night (23 January) in the first of many events to mark the beginning of its seventh decade in the wine business.

DGB expands Helderberg footprint with Avontuur

As an extension to its already-significant investment into Stellenbosch’s Helderberg wine region, DGB has signed an agreement with Avontuur Estate to take over the running of the wine brand, including its wine production facilities and cellar door.

New MD for Fells

Leading Port and wine distributor Fells has announced strategic changes to the top roles in its leadership team, with Euan Mackay taking on the mantle of MD and Steve Moody transitioning to chairman.

Exclusive: Bewes and Saunders chart the future for Hallgarten and Coterie

The sale of leading specialist importer Hallgarten & Novum Wines from the Pieroth family has been five years in the making, Harpers has learned. Now, as it moves its portfolio of premium on-trade accounts and producers to Coterie Holdings, a new chapter is in store for both businesses as they look to bolster their portfolios and advance their march into the fine wine market, with Coterie, in particular, looking to establish its hold as a key player in the nation’s top restaurants.

Hallgarten acquired by Coterie Holdings

Hallgarten & Novum Wines has been purchased by Coterie Holdings, joining Lay & Wheeler, bonded warehousing Coterie Vaults and wine lender Jera in a growing fine wine portfolio.

Profile: Martyn Rolph, Berry Bros & Rudd

Jo Gilbert catches up with Berry Bros & Rudd’s newest head of buying, to discover what’s next for Britain’s oldest wine merchant.

Flat bottle production set to rise via new ‘cutting-edge’ facility

Packamama, the eco flat bottle company behind the new-look Banrock Station, is upping its capacity via a new product-specific bottling line which looks set to significantly increase the presence of alternative format wines in markets like the UK.

Royal Tokaji makes the leap to Fells

Royal Tokaji, the Hungarian producer known for its botrytised sweet wines, has made the move to John E Fells & Sons, joining the likes of Wiston Estate, Champagne Henriot and Tedeschi in the portfolio.