The chairperson of Symington Family Estates, Johnny Symington, is retiring.  Symington worked in the family business for 40 years alongside members of the 3rd, 4th, and 5th generations of his family.  After Johnny Symington’s retirement, his cousin Rupert Symington will move from the position of CEO to chairman.  His other cousin, Charles Symington, currently head winemaker, has been appointed co-CEO alongside…

“We really want to shout about the potential of the fortified category more, rather than always driving for lower prices and promotional activity,” says Mentzendorff’s managing director, Justin Liddle, at the company’s portfolio tasting in London.  After joining wine importer Mentzendorff in 1998, Liddle was appointed managing director last November, following a seven month stint as interim managing director.  In an…

Taylor’s Port has launched a new digital campaign ahead of the Christmas season as brand owners look to introduce new drinkers to the category. The ‘Pass the Port’ campaign focuses on festive food pairings with Taylor’s Late Bottled Vintage 2018. A handful of influencers are partnering with Taylor’s for the activity, including chef James Strawbridge and wine writer Helen McGinn. With the…

As the category comes to terms with major tax changes, pre-Christmas deals and lower abvs could be on the cards for port and sherry, finds Nigel Huddleston Fortified wines were clobbered the most by the August rise in UK duty rates. The overhaul of alcohol tax increased duty by 44%, adding just under £1 to the price of sherry at 15% abv, and £1.30…

Earlier this month, Drinks Retailing caught up with Sogevinus CEO Sergio Marly Caminal and international business manager João Tamagnini Belo at Prowein. The company’s flagship Kopke port is the main focus for the producer, with a 50-year-old Tawny and 50-year-old White Port being unveiled at the show. But elsewhere, Sogevinus has big plans for tourism and still wine “I think we have great potential for…

Churchill’s has lined up new packaging and branding for its port and wine brands, as it looks to attract new consumers.  The Port reboot will see a new minimalist packaging design to represent the brand’s “minimal intervention winemaking philosophy”, and it’s range of Douro wines will be renamed as Grafite, with a hand-drawn label.  The new packaging also has an emphasis on sustainability, with…

Taylor’s has launched a new digital campaign as it looks to capitalise on seasonal Port consumption. The company said the activation, which will run across Instagram and Facebook, will centre around Taylor’s LBV and the wine’s versatility throughout occasions such as Autumn, Halloween, Bonfire Night, Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Andrew Hawes, managing director at Mentzendorff, the UK agent for Taylor’s, said: “People like Port,…