Irish wine merchant James Nicholson has purchased London independent retailer Highbury Vintners for an undisclosed sum. Nicholson set up JN Wine in County Down in 1977 and it has built up a strong reputation as a family-run merchant offering artisan wines over the past 42 years. It also wholesales to leading restaurants and hotels and offers home delivery across the UK and Ireland, and it…

London fine wine and spirits merchant Berry Bros. & Rudd has taken on a mezcal for the first time in its 320-year-old history. The agave-based spirit has been growing in popularity among bartenders, spirits aficionados and independent merchants in recent years, and Waitrose recently decided to introduce it to a wider audience. Now Berry Bros spirits buyer Rob Whitehead has opted for an independent…

London fine wine merchant BI reported 6.1% revenue growth in the first half of 2018 thanks to increased demand for US wines, Burgundy and Champagne. Turnover rose from £49 million in the same period in 2017 to £51 million this year and the management hailed “an exceptional performance”. However, the retailer warned it might have to move its headquarters to France if the UK leaves…

Fine wine merchant BI Wine said British clients are undeterred by the weak sterling rate after reporting its most successful en primer campaign in seven years. It generated £14 million, up 65% on 2016, and said UK consumers accounted for 70% of sales. In total the merchant grew H1 turnover to £50 million, up 43% on the previous year, with soaring sales of Bordeaux, Burgundy,…

Berry Bros & Rudd has revealed details of its new own label selection of wines. The Wine Merchant’s Range has been created to provide greater accessibility to the retailer, which is Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant. Abi Hirshfeld, buying director at Berry Bros said: “ Our Berry Bros & Rudd Own Selection of wines is incredibly popular with our customers, and we wanted to…

London wine merchant Vagabond Wines was crowned the UK’s Best Independent Drinks Merchant last night after securing the most votes in a poll of industry experts. OLN and sister title Harpers Wine & Spirit revealed the UK’s 50 Best Indies at an event in London designed to celebrate the achievements of the hardworking independent retailers that give the drinks trade such a good name across…

Wine merchant Tanners has opened a new store in a former auction house in Chester, bringing its estate up to seven and putting it in competition with fellow northern chain Corks Out. Shrewsbury-based Tanners, which was named Independent Merchant of the Year at the 2015 International Wine Challenge, has built up its business by opening stores in Shropshire, Herefordshire and Wales. Now…