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Top 50 Wholesalers

Drinks wholesalers are all too often the unsung heroes of the supply chain, having an influence and reach that truly impacts upon the drinks landscape in the UK.

Size matters, of course, but influence on the quality and direction that offer takes is arguably more important, which is why this list covers wholesalers of many differing outlooks, offers and dimension.

What they all share, though, is a dedication to supplying with a mix of passion, professionalism and flair – going the extra mile, from sourcing their portfolio to delivering to the retail customer, marking them out from the norm.

Each year a majority in the trade continues to raise the bar, but the companies listed here are the ones we believe have done the most to up the ante. Through a mix of great drinks offers, service, reach, support and related reputation out there in the wider trade, they are most worthy of a position among our top 50 influencers in the wholesale world today.

1. LIBERTY WINES

Rising to the number one spot this year, Liberty Wines is the much-deserved top Drinks Wholesaler 2018. As the trade continues to chop and change, managing director David Gleave MW and his team maintain their ability to deliver a winning mix of great service, a fantastic portfolio and a personal touch that has seen the company continue to grow its reach into the restaurant, bar and independent worlds in London and well beyond. This is a company that inspires rivals and customers alike, often cited as an exemplary merchant, showing that quality and size needn’t be at odds in the world of wine.

Liberty Wines managing director David Gleave MW

2. ENOTRIA & COE

Having strengthened its hand and reach with acquisitions such as Great Western Wines and spirits-focused Coe Vintners over the years, Enotria & Coe, under the firm and premium-focused direction of chief executive Troy Christensen, has emerged in the post-Conviviality era with a renewed mission to build value back into the business of selling wines and spirits. A powerful player on today’s scene, this is a company that has a proven ability to both adapt to and shape a fast-changing drinks world.

Enotria & Coe chief executive Troy Christensen

3. LWC DRINKS

Having taken Eastbourne-based HT White under its wing, LWC has further grown its reach around the UK, confirming its position as the largest independent wholesaler in the country. And, under the eye of wine director Shaun Healy, it offers a drinks portfolio to match, with some 7,000 wines, spirits, beers and soft drinks listed, all a short delivery time away from the company’s 7,000 accounts nationwide via its widespread network of depots. As such, LWC Drinks is a major influencer on what the UK drinks in the on-trade.

LWC Drinks wine director Shaun Healy

4. BIBENDUM

Bibendum appears to have emerged from the spectacular fall of recent owner Conviviality both relatively intact and profitable, a view that seems further strengthened by the phoenix-like return of its former managing director, Michael Saunders, to the helm. Since then, this north London supplier and agent business has lost no time in continuing to drive its innovative and outward-looking approach to the UK drinks trade, with an evolving portfolio of wines along with a new apprenticeship and mentoring programme called Wine Minds, designed to help people on their career paths in the trade.

Bibendum chief executive Michael Saunders

5. ALLIANCE WINE

Scottish-based Alliance has continued on its mission to strengthen its reach southwards via London, while continuing to bring exciting, individual and sometime off-piste wines to market through its client accounts.

Not content with being a run-of-the-mill supplier, the company, with Fergal Tynan MW at the helm, has also increasingly turned its hand to winemaking, taking sustainability, organic and green principles very seriously, and it has continued to establish a successful export business beyond British shores.

Alliance Wine chief executive Fergal Tynan MW

6. HILLS PROSPECT

Essex-based Hills Prospect is a major composite supplier to businesses in London and the wider South East, with a reach that runs from Kent and Surrey to Cambridge and Suffolk courtesy of a fast and efficient fleet of wagons that drop some 3,350 lines of wines, spirits and beers to a growing number of customers. Director Trevor Bowers and co-director and wine buyer Collette Whittington-Bowers are clearly a formidable team, with Whittington-Bowers continuing to grow premium wine sales as a key part of the Hills Prospect portfolio.

The Hills Prospect team

7. INVERARITY MORTON

This Scottish-based wholesaler, along with its Forth Wines arm, is a major force both north and – increasingly – south of the border, supplying some 25% of the wines drunk in the Scottish on-trade. It has a growing reach in England and Wales, where it has focused on delivering exclusive wines and spirits to the off-trade merchant sector. Managing director Stephen Russell and commercial director Ian Cumming continue to do a great job of bringing together a 2,000-strong list of premium and fine wines, including a growing portfolio of sole-agency and own-label brands, topped with a strong selection of spirits and craft beers.

Inverarity Morton commercial director Ian Cumming

8. HALLGARTEN

Managing director Andrew Bewes and his team continue to drive this innovative and insightful company forward, supplying a mix of channels, driven by the on-trade, with a healthy spread of independents and multiples adding significantly to its £50 million turnover via 2,500 customer accounts.

The more traditionally biased Hallgarten list of agencies boasts some real gems, and this is further bolstered by the Novum list, which, under the buying acumen of Steve Daniels, continues to unearth great finds from more niche territories, such as Greece and beyond.

Hallgarten managing director Andrew Bewes

9. HB CLARK

Composite wholesaler HB Clark describes itself as the largest independent wholesaler in the UK and its reach stretches from its Warwick HQ to all corners of the country, with some 5,000 pubs, hotels and restaurants its core business.

The company has been busy strengthening its wine offer in recent times, helping to leverage its strong on-trade reach with a premium offer that is delivering strong growth in the food-led and more wine-savvy sectors of the restaurant and bar world, helping to raise the quality bar.

HB Clark managing director Jay MacKay

10. MATTHEW CLARK

With C&C Group the new owner of Matthew Clark following the fall of Conviviality, this influential national wholesaler has gone a little quiet while the company readjusts to the changes thrust upon it. Nonetheless, Matthew Clark remains a serious and highly competitive supplier to the UK restaurant and bar world, cited by many wine-driven companies as the biggest rival out there in the market. Clearly still a force to be reckoned with.

Matthew Clark head of wine buying Simon Jerrome

11. BERKMANN WINE CELLARS

With a portfolio comprising more than 1,400 wines, Berkmann continues to be a favourite with sommeliers and on-trade buyers across the UK. Directed by Rupert Berkmann, with Alex Hunt MW heading up the purchasing, the wholesaler is not resting on its laurels, with new producers continuously added – most recently in the shape of Prosecco brand Canevel.

12. BOUTINOT

This innovative on-trade favourite takes quality inspiration from all over the world to seal its competitive edge. Under the directorship of Dennis Whiteley, Boutinot manages a core business of 150 top producers while also living up to its promise of being “not just agents, but hands-on, ‘dirt under our nails’ winemakers”, with projects from France to South Africa. An ongoing hit with the UK’s bars and restaurants.

13. ST AUSTELL BREWERY

From regional brewer to far-reaching wholesaler, St Austell has grown its influence throughout the West Country toward Bristol and beyond, with a well-constructed and attractive offer, be it wines, spirits or beers.

St Austell Brewery chief executive James Staughton

14. VENUS WINE & SPIRIT MERCHANTS

Family-run since 1975 and managed by Laki Christoforou and Michelle Dorey, Venus is going from strength to strength with its turnover for 2018 forecast to hit £100 million. With its own fleet, the business prides itself on “getting you the stock you need, when you need it” and has a more than 4,000-strong portfolio, covering the alcoholic drinks repertoire from wine and spirits to Champagne and beer.

The Venus Team

15. ARMIT WINES

Now in its 30th year, Armit Wines operates a multichannel approach serving discerning customers in every section of the trade. Under managing director Kirsten Kilby, its top-notch portfolio includes a firmament of iconic Italian wines as well as sought-after allocations of many famous Bordeaux crus.

Kirsten Kilby, managing director, Armit Wines 

16. LES CAVES DE PYRENE

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Les Caves de Pyrene, powered by Doug Wregg and his colleagues, has been one of the most notable suppliers on the UK scene, sticking to a mantra of terroir-focused, artisanal scale and often natural production, while growing into a medium-sized supply business, complete with restaurants to its name.

Les Caves de Pyrene director of sales and marketing Doug Wregg

17. WINE IMPORTERS

Claiming to have the most extensive and innovative drinks portfolio in Scotland, Wine Importers has come a long way since its beginning in 1975 when it was founded to meet a growing demand for “interesting wines with a global difference”. Under managing director Billy Bell, it puts its success down to its strategy of maintaining the personal levels of service that were the norm in its founder’s time and not treating customers as just “account numbers”.

18. FIELDS, MORRIS & VERDIN

This has been another great year for Fields, Morris & Verdin, which continues to set the bar for quality drinks distribution as the wholesale arm of Berry Bros & Rudd, serving the restaurateurs and independent retailers. TV personality Joe Fattorini swelled the ranks as head of sales earlier this year, joining managing director Matt Davies on the list of top talent.

19. OXFORD WINE COMPANY

Now with three shops, a wine café and a piano bar to its name, Oxford Wine Company, under the lively direction of Ted Sandbach, also doubles as a leading independent merchants wholesaler, supplying a wide base of businesses across its native Oxford and into the counties beyond. A great list and a great independent spirit.

Oxford Wine Company managing director Ted Sandbach

20. AMATHUS DRINKS

Specialising in spirits, the Amathus group’s more than 3,000 lines are topped up by three retail outlets in the capital, with the business – headed by founder Harry Georgiou – boasting an innovative and distinct list.  

21. DANIEL LAMBERT WINES

Initially specialising in Burgundy and the Loire, owner Daniel Lambert has long been a supplier of quality agency wines to leading independent and on-trade outlets, but has been busy growing his portfolio, with tempting finds from the US, South Africa, Spain, New Zealand, Austria and now Italy joining the fold.

Daniel Lambert Wines owner Daniel Lambert

22. ELLIS WINES

An independent, family-owned on-trade supplier, in business since 1822, but one that remains at the forefront of sourcing and delivering great wines and fresh finds to the restaurants it services. And all with the personal touch that comes with a company that still counts three Ellis brothers on the board today.

James Ellis, sales director, Ellis Wines 

23. CAMBRIDGE WINE MERCHANTS

This marks another great year for managing director Hal Wilson and his team. Together they supply the rest of Cambridgeshire and the South, spreading the vinous gospel through seven retail shops, wine bars and a dedicated wholesale arm.

Hal Wilson, managing director, Cambridge Wines 

24. HAMMONDS OF KNUTSFORD

Established for more than half a century, family-run wine and spirits merchant Hammonds has a wealth of experience in servicing the licensed trade, with a focus on customer service and competitive pricing. Reflecting its growing size and status, the company became a PLC in 2000. Its impressive portfolio comprises in excess of 2,500 quality wines, beers and spirits.

25. HENNINGS WINE

With four shops in West Sussex and a thriving wholesale business that accounts for two-thirds of turnover, managing director Matthew Hennings has grown this family business into an exemplary regional independent supplier, combining a great list of wines and spirits with a local touch and knowledge.

Hennings Wine 

26. NOEL YOUNG WINES

Owner Noel Young’s reputation and reach extends far beyond his Cambridge base, which nonetheless holds the clue, in terms of the wines and spirits carried by this characterful merchant, as to why NYW has made its name as a supplier of individual, quality-focused bottles.

Noel Young, owner, Noel young Wines 

27. MORGENROT

As Manchester’s longest-established importer and supplier of wine and beers, Morgenrot has certainly not rested on its laurels, with today’s portfolio displaying all the hallmarks of independent, intelligent buying, winning converts and customers countrywide to this modern portfolio.

Morgenrot managing director Carl Plath

28. FINE WINES DIRECT

This Cardiff-based importer and distributor delivers its elevator pitch of being a “fiercely independent, specialist importer of exciting wines”. From its armoury of wine at its HQ in South Wales, Fine Wines Direct offers wines for every channel, price and occasion, with a reach that stretches to the far corners of the UK.

29. STEEVENSON WINES

Son and father team Liam and Charles Steevenson deliver a much-in-demand, quality-driven portfolio that sells across an impressive roster of high-end hospitality and restaurant businesses in the South West.

Steevenson Wines consultant Liam Steevenson MW

30. DAYLA DRINKS

(including James Pettit & Company)

In addition to distributing a vast selection of major soft drinks, beers, wines and spirits, Buckingham-based Dayla supplies dispensing technology. With the Cooper family still at the helm, Tim Cooper heads up operations as managing director.

31. TANNERS WINE MERCHANTS

An exemplary wine range and real understanding of its customer base makes Tanners one of the go-to wholesalers operating across the border counties and into Wales.

A focus on traditional values and service has made this business stand out from the crowd, with fourth-generation chairman James Tanner keeping his family ethos alive across its wholesale operations and seven retail stores.

James Tanner, chairman, Tanners Wine Merchants 

32. EWGA WINES

Established in 1972 by Pamela and Gerald Moeckell, EWGA’s’ traditional business of wine wholesaling is continued today by their son, Adrian. Offering a list of many exclusive wines from most quality wine-producing countries, the company supplies some of the most prestigious hospitality businesses around the UK.

33. YAPP BROTHERS

Second-generation Jason Yapp runs a superb operation from his company’s Wiltshire HQ, with great strengths in its traditional areas of Rhône and Loire underpinning supply into an impressive number of Michelin-starred restaurants up and down the country.

Jason Yapp, director, Yapp Brothers  

34. CHRISTOPHER PIPER WINES

This Devon-based stalwart continues to supply a seductive portfolio to hospitality businesses across the West Country, driven in part by the very personal and professional approach of the eponymous man at the helm.

Christopher Piper Wines chairman Christopher Piper

35. ALIVINI

Founded in 1975 with the aim of supplying the best quality wines and food from all over Italy, today the company is regarded as the leading Italian produce specialist in the UK. With bases in Leeds and London, its superb list includes world-class Italian wines which benefit from all being curated alongside Italy’s gastronomic delights.

36. C&O WINES

Manchester-based supplier C&O Wines has, since its beginnings in 1973, grown to offer wines from more than 50 family-owned estates from four continents. With Oliver Haussels at the helm of a business which has always cited wine as its first love, the company has expanded its range to include a selection of artisan, small-batched distilled local gins.

37. TOLCHARDS

Sean Mardell is director of this popular, family-owned, South of England wholesaler, which spans wines, spirits, craft beer and local products. For an independent supplier with interesting products, a wide reach and a local touch, look no further.

38. SOHO WINE SUPPLY

Known as a dependable standby for top central London restaurants missing a bottle or two, Soho Wine Supply makes no bones about its additional role as a just-in-time wholesaler that has, many a time, run around an order in the middle of service to its local accounts.

39. BUTLERS WINE CELLAR

Well-known Brighton and Hove figure Henry Butler is the dynamic and individual face of his family firm, operating out of two shops, selling an excellent and sometimes eclectic list of wines into the best of the local and regional restaurant scene.

Butlers Wine Cellar co-owner Henry Butler

40. CARSON & CARNEVALE

London-focused wholesaler Carson & Carnevale and the complementary Carson Wines, which works through other wholesalers countrywide, brings together the inter-generational expertise and passion of father-and-son team Christopher and Jonathan Carson, in an innovative partnership with Italian wholesale specialist Carnevale and its reach of the premium restaurant world.

Carson & Carnevale’s Christopher and Jonathan Carson

41. RD WINES

RD Wines, formerly Rodney Densem Wines (RDW), supplies a nationwide customer base with exclusive agency wines and own-brands. In 2017, it acquired a 42,000sq ft warehouse, office and distribution site in Telford when it fully acquired Telford Wines and subsequently restructured, merged and started operating under the new name. The retail unit retains the RDW name.

42. BON COEUR FINE WINES

This North Yorkshire-based operation has earned its stripes for offering a diverse list of quality wines that punch well above their weight on bar and restaurant lists. Bon Coeur’s proactive approach also puts it ahead of the pack, with a strong commitment to education and support for clients.

43. NECTAR IMPORTS

A leading drinks supplier to the trade in the south for more than 30 years, Nectar Imports stocks everything from the latest craft beer to premium spirits, wines and soft drinks sourced from around the world.

44. LIBRA DRINKS

Nottingham-based Libra Drinks has distinguished itself for offering a fully kitted out service to the on-trade. A wide range of popular wine styles from around the globe is complemented by an equally good supply of beers, ciders, mixers and back-bar extras.

45. ROBINSONS WINES

Building on its long brewing heritage, Robinsons Wines has taken an exemplary approach to its wine portfolio, allowing it to expand its wholesale side with a well-chosen, premium-focused selection of estates and labels that have been winning accounts locally and nationwide.

46. REGENCY WINES

Exeter-based Regency Wines was established by husband-and-wife team Ian and April Marks in 2001 with the aim of supplying licensed businesses in its home town and south and west Devon. Due to demand, the company has since expanded, adding the majority of Somerset to its area. It deals solely with the on-trade, offering quality wines along with training and support.

47. TALKING WINES

Managing director Simon Thomson is the driving force behind this Cirencester-based shop and distributor, which supplies the South West up to Worcestershire and Oxfordshire with a great list of wines and spirits from independent producers.

48. SH JONES

The family-owned company has been selling wines and spirits to discerning customers throughout the Cotswolds and beyond since 1848. In 2013 it expanded into the online market with the purchase of Hawkshead Wines and then Slurp, with its online sales now routed via the latter. A year later it acquired the wholesale and retail operations of Stevens Garnier.

49. MAJESTIC COMMERCIAL

Despite fierce competition and ongoing troubles in the casual dining sector, Majestic’s on-trade distribution arm has benefited from increased strategic focus this year. Under chief executive Rowan Gormley, more of Majestic’s range is reaching the UK’s bars and restaurants.

50. SWALLOW DRINKS

Swallow Drinks, a leading supplier to the West Midlands, carries a vast range of premium branded beers and spirits, in addition to a strong range of wines sourced through the Society of Vintners.

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