Accolade takes over Grant Burge UK distribution

Grant Burge Wines will be distributed in the UK by Accolade Wines from March 2016, ending a 10-year relationship with Hatch Mansfield.

Accolade Wines reached an agreement to buy Barossa-based Grant Burge Wines last year, completing the sale in January this year for an undisclosed sum.

The deal included the acquisition of Barossa’s Grant Burge Wines, including the Grant Burge brand, Burge and Rathbone Fine Wine Merchants business and the historic Krondorf Winery.

Since then Accolade Wines has been working in partnership with Hatch Mansfield, its UK distributor for the past decade, on distribution. Hatch Mansfield has now reached an agreement to hand management of its distribution in the UK to Accolade Wines.

“We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with Grant Burge and have built it into our premium brand offering from the Barossa, however having carefully considered the core values of our portfolio, we felt that it was appropriate to return the distribution of this brand to Accolade Wines”, said Patrick McGrath MW, managing director of Hatch Mansfield. “We will work with the Accolade Wines team to ensure there is a smooth transition for all customers.”

Accolade’s acquisition of Grant Burge preceded that of Chilean producer Viña Anakena, which it acquired in September, extending its footprint further into the New World.

Tom Wallis, sales director UK & Ireland at Accolade Wines UK added: “Taking over the distribution of Grant Burge, whilst it is in such fine health with a wide customer base is a real privilege. Hatch Mansfield have done a brilliant job of growing this brand within the UK market.”

Hatch Mansfield’s portfolio meanwhile includes producers including Champagne Taittinger, Louis Jadot, Joseph Mellot, CVNE, Te Awa and Kleine Zalze.