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…

Emma Symington MW has been appointed as education development manager EMEA at Wine Australia. Symington, who recently returned from maternity leave, took up the newly-created role this week. She will be responsible for delivering the Australian Wine Discovered programme. Staff training for retailers and importers, and educational elements at Wine Australia’s events across EMEA. Symington has worked in the wine industry for 13 years and…

The Benevolent has appointed Michael Saunders as its new chairman, following Tom Yusef’s successful two-year tenure. Saunders has worked at Bibendum PLB since 1982, and is now the company’s chief executive. He has pledged to use his expertise and extensive contacts to further raise the profile of the drinks industry charity with a particular focus on encouraging an increase in financial support from the wider…

Seven leading Madeira wine producers are gathering in London next month to show their latest releases at a ‘walk-around’ tasting event. The producers – Blandy’s Madeira, CAF – Madeira Vintners, Henriques & Henriques, HM Borges, Justino’s Madeira Wines, Pereira D’Oliveira and Vinhos Barbeito – will be in London on 16 October at the RSA House, London, WC2N 6EZ. The event, which will be open to…

Hattingley Valley Wines has teamed up with The Worshipful Company of Vintners to offer the UK’s first winemaking apprenticeship. The position, which is full-time, is expected to extend for two years. The successful applicant will attend education courses in vinegrowing and winemaking at Plumpton College, England’s centre of learning for wine. The courses will be sponsored by The Vintners’ Company. The Apprenticeship Programme is also…

The Vintners’ Benevolent Award for 2016 has been awarded to Caspar and Victoria Bowes, founders of the online wine auction site GrapePip. The award was announced at The Vintners’ Annual Wine Trade Lunch in aid of The Benevolent, which took place in Vintners’ Hall on January 8. Over 145 leading figures in the trade saw the Bowes receive the award from chief executive David Cox…

Police are investigating an overnight attack on the Riverland Vintners winery in Monash, South Australia, which saw four insulated temperature-controlled storage tanks containing 1.2 million litres of red wine deliberately emptied overnight. The attack occurred on the night of December 28. Riverland Vintners was established in Monash in 1997. It was acquired by the South Australian Wine Group in 2013. The…