Alliance Wine has announced that Sarah Benson MW has joined its team after eight years at Co-op, specialising in the Spanish and South American portfolios. 

Benson has recently been awarded her Master of Wine title after passing her exams in 2025. This makes her Alliance’s fourth MW on the team. 

She has also been recognised elsewhere in the industry, including Drinks Retailing’s Top 100 Most Influential People in Drinks list, in which she was named in both 2024 and 2025. 

Prior to her time at Co-op, Benson held a position at Kingsland Drinks as a wine marketing executive, as well as a stint at Asda. 

Jean Wareing MW, head of buying at Alliance Wine, said: “We are very happy that Sarah has joined to bolster our capabilities and experience in the buying team at Alliance. Her wealth of experience in the key categories of Spain and South America will be vital in driving forward our own Iberian and South American portfolios that she will be responsible for. 

“There is significant opportunity to develop both our Iberian and South American portfolios, and I am looking forward to seeing how Sarah brings her talents to strengthen what is already a world class selection of producers that we are proud to represent,” she continued.  

Fergal Tynan, fellow Alliance MW, said: “Having another Master of Wine in the business is a true privilege. We are very fortunate to welcome someone with Sarah’s experience and skill joining the buying team, adding to the pre-existing talent that we have there. This makes our buying team as strong as any in the trade and I’m excited to see the impact they will deliver as we work towards our long term ambitions and goals.”