Jeroboams has been appointed agents for five family-owned boutique wineries, supporting its mission to add new world newcomers alongside classic and traditional wines. Four of the five are exclusive and new to the UK market.

These wineries further strengthen Jeroboams’ position in the new world category with wineries including Oldenburg (Stellenbosch, South Africa), Kelly-Washington Wines (New Zealand) and from California, Mountain Tides (Napa), Alma de Cattalya (Sonoma) and most recently, Emeritus (Sonoma).

Since joining Jeroboams last year, Group Wine Buyer, Maggie MacPherson has focused on extending the reach of the portfolio with exciting new additions.

She said: “Although we are often referred to as a classic or traditional wine merchant, there has been a revolution with the classic Burgundies and Bordeaux wines jostling for space on the shelf with an onslaught of new world newcomers. Focusing on family-owned boutique wineries from South Africa, New Zealand and especially California, the Jeroboams buying team have been on a mission to shake things up. While many customers still rely on the old faithful and iconic wines, more and more are looking for something new, unusual, and most importantly delicious.”

The wines, which will be available in Jeroboam’s eight London shops and via its website, comprise wines from Oldenburg in South Africa.

The wine merchant said Oldenburg stood out for several reasons including the quality of the wines; a recently completed small batch winemaking facility; a relaunch with a “fresher more modern look which speaks more of their personality”; and an “exciting dynamic approach to a new phase for the business”.

The wines are produced in the Stellenbosch sub-region of Rondekop, which Jeroboams describes as “unique” allowing for fresher more “crunchy” styles of wines.

The collection from Oldenburg includes: 2016 Oldenburg Vineyards Rhodium (60% Merlot, 20% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot) £29.95; 2016 Oldenburg Vineyards Syrah £15.95; 2018 Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc £14.95; 2018 Oldenburg Vineyards Grenache Noir £21.95; 2019 Oldenburg Vineyards ˚White Blend (75% Chenin Blanc, 25% Chardonnay) £13.25.

Kelly-Washington Wines was born in 2016 and is the brainchild of highly acclaimed winemaker Tamra Kelly-Washington and her husband Simon.

Although a select range was previously distributed in the UK, Jeroboams is launching with all six of its wines including new-to-market, Cabernet Franc and Pinot Gris. Following on from its initial success and early award wins it recently received a flurry of positive reviews from The Wine Advocate.

The wines include: 2017 Kelly Washington Wines Organic Sauvignon Blanc £19.95; 2017 Kelly Washington Wines Organic Semillon Sauvignon Blanc £22.95; 2018 Kelly Washington Wines Cabernet Franc £27.95; 2018 Kelly Washington Wines Organic Chardonnay £27.95; 2018 Kelly Washington Wines Organic Pinot Blanc £23.95; 2018 Kelly Washington Wines Pinot Noir £29.95.

From California, Mountain Tides is “a breath of fresh air amongst the heavy hitters from Napa”. The producer is devoted to the Petite Syrah grape and the owners – Scott Kirkpatrick and Allison Watkins – insist on knowing their (organic) grape growers by name and they must share their aim of preserving California’s historic vineyards. The emphasis is on aromatic complexity and fresh energy and Jerobaoms will stock the following wines: 2017 Mountain Tides Contra Costa Petite Sirah £34.95 (Organic); and 2018 Mountain Tides California Petite Sirah £22.95 (Organic).

Alma de Cattleya is the passion project of Colombian winemaker Bibiana González Rave. According to MacPherson “these wines tick all the boxes; Californian fruit but European winemaking sensibilities; honestly and practically priced; family owned; with beautiful packaging.Wine is as much about people and stories as it is about fermented grape juice, and Bibiana’s story is fantastic”. The wines are 2017 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma Pinot Noir £27.95; and 2018 Alma de Cattleya Sonoma Chardonnay £26.95

Emeritus was established in 1999 by Brice Cutrer Jones and is “the epitome of Pinot Noir sophistication”. Focusing solely on Pinot Noir, the vineyards all have the desirable Goldridge soils and are dry-farmed. The wines are: 2016 Emeritus Hallberg Ranch Pinot Noir £46.95; and 2017 Emeritus Russian River Pinot Noir £39.95.