Producers - Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

Maison Ruinart’s Frédéric Panaïotis passes away

Published: 17 June, 2025

Maison Ruinart’s cellar master Frédéric Panaïotis passed away on 15 June, aged just 60.

Provençal rosé estate Château Sainte Roseline partners with North South

Published: 13 June, 2025

North South Wines, the Bicester-based importer, has bolstered its Provençal rosé offering with the addition of Château Sainte Roseline to its range.

UK pair see success at Copa Jerez International Final

Published: 11 June, 2025

Sommelier Zoé Donadio of Apricity (pictured, left) and chef Will Stoyle of Silo (pictured, right) were both awarded prizes at the 11th International Final of the Copa Jerez for their team UK entry. The overall win went to team Denmark, marking the Scandi nation’s fourth triumph at the event.

Loire exports outperform French average in 2024

Published: 11 June, 2025

In its 2024 export report, Vins de Loire revealed that the popular region’s exports grew +5% and +5.9% in terms of volume and value, respectively. The total value of Loire exports reached €200mn, its highest level since 2000. France as a whole, by contrast, only saw a +0.7% uptick in terms of total export volume.

Nick Gillett: Vermouth's underappreciated charm

Published: 09 June, 2025

I do so enjoy punctuating my usual grumbly opinion pieces with love letters to spirits. And this month, it’s the turn of vermouth. An historic fortified wine infused with various botanical flavours, it’s a firm favourite all over Europe, in the United States, and perhaps unexpectedly, in South America. It conjures romantic images of shaded al fresco drinking spots, on sunny European streets, and it’s bloody delicious to boot. So why isn’t it a staple in our booze cupboards at home? Here’s my reasoning for why it should be.

UK launch of new Georgian wine collection

Published: 04 June, 2025

Georgian winery Tbilvino has launched its new premium wine collection in the UK through Berkmann Wine Cellars.

Northumbrian distiller Ad Gefrin unveils limited edition blend

Published: 03 June, 2025

Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Distillery in Wooler, Northumberland has announced a new release, its Tácnbora Limited Edition: Cognac Cask Finish.

Wine GB launches Sustainable Packaging Toolkit

Published: 02 June, 2025

Wine GB has launched a Sustainability Packaging Toolkit as part of World Environment Day on 5 June, to support sustainable action in vineyards and wineries.

Sogevinus unveils name change

Published: 29 May, 2025

Portuguese wine producer Sogevinus will henceforth be known as the Kopke Group, paying homage to the country's oldest Port house.

Kingsbarns Distillery launches secure whisky cask ownership programme

Published: 28 May, 2025

St Andrews-based Kingsbarns Distillery has launched a cask ownership programme, offering whisky lovers the opportunity to securely buy their own barrel of the spirit through a secure and transparent process.

London Wine Fair showcases emerging regions and fresh innovation

Published: 23 May, 2025

After three days of networking, tasting and connecting, the London Wine Fair (LWF) has come to a close for another year. The Fair’s emergence as a champion for emerging wine regions was on clear display at the event, as was both vinous and technological innovation. The event also saw growth in visitor numbers with 9,741 attending the fair, up 5% from 2024.

Producer Q&A: Giles Cooke MW, Thistledown Wines

Published: 22 May, 2025

From retailer to merchant to producer, Giles Cooke has spanned the wine trade. He talks Majestic, murder and McLaren Vale.

Georgia backs UK growth with upped investment

Published: 22 May, 2025

Few could miss the Georgia stand at this year’s London Wine Fair, with this on-trend country planting 16 of its producers on a sizable stand at the centre of the hall. And this enlarged presence sets the tone for the rest of this year, following an uplift in UK volume sales of Georgian wines of 72% in 2024, backed by an increase of investment in the British market by 50% for 2025.

Vega Sicilia appoints Jessica Julmy as new MD

Published: 22 May, 2025

Spanish producer Tempos Vega Sicilia has announced the appointment of Jessica Julmy as its new MD. Julmy will begin her directorship at the end of August, leading the Álvarez family's six estates including the flagship Vega Sicilia in Ribera del Duero.

Loch Lomond Group acquires New York Distilling Company

Published: 22 May, 2025

Scotch producer Loch Lomond Group has announced the acquisition of the Brooklyn-based New York Distilling Company. The stateside distiller will join the likes of Loch Lomond and Glen Scotia whiskies in the group’s well-known portfolio.

Bancroft onboards Riebeek Valley Wine Company’s RAAR range to portfolio

Published: 20 May, 2025

Bancroft Wines has announced the addition of South African Riebeek Valley Wine Company to its portfolio. The new deal will see the Swartland producer’s RAAR range imported to the UK.

Speciality Brands unveils new sake partnership

Published: 12 May, 2025

Leading distributor Speciality Brands has welcomed a UK-based sake brewery into its diverse portfolio, strengthening its already strong Japanese offering.

Iggy Pop and Tilda Swinton among latest DP collaborators

Published: 12 May, 2025

Dom Pérignon has announced its latest “creative chapter”, with a series of portraits and films designed to deliver an immersive experience for guests from 15 May.

Leadership change at Wakefield Wines

Published: 12 May, 2025

South Australia's Wakefield Wines has announced that, after 25 years as MD, Mitchell Taylor (pictured left) is taking on the new role of chairman of the board and John Freeman (pictured right) will become CEO from 21 July.

Campari sees Q1 sales drop amid tariff squeeze

Published: 09 May, 2025

Italian drinks giant Campari Group has seen a –4.2% fall in organic net sales for Q1 of 2025. The company believes the drop has come amid ‘heightened macroeconomic volatility’, in part caused by the uncertainty caused by US tariffs during this period.