New Generation Wines and McKinley Vintners join forces

New Generation Wines and McKinley Vintners have signed an agreement to combine their businesses with effect from 1 January 2016, it has been announced.

New Generation Wines will join forces with McKinley Vintners as of 1 January 2016 (Photo: New Generation)

The complementary strengths of the two companies will create a quality focused and market relevant agency company importing an interesting range of wines and spirits. The business will supply predominantly the independent fine wine sector and London on-trade. 

Managing director of New Generation Wines James Booth will become managing director of the combined company. McKinley Vintners’ Peter McKinley will “maintain an active role”, while the company’s current MD Jim Furze will become operations director of the new business. 

The new business will have an enlarged sales team covering England, Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands, a statement said. A sales and marketing team will be based London, with an administration team based in New Generation’s current base of Ashford, Kent. 

The company’s enlarged portfolio will offer quality wines from most of the major regions as well as an exciting range of spirits. Customers will comprise many of the UK’s leading restaurants, independent merchants and retailers.

“This is a hugely positive and exciting step which demonstrates the commitment of both New Generation Wines and McKinley Vintners to the future of their combined customers, suppliers and colleagues,” Booth said.

McKinley Vintners founder Peter McKinley added: “New Generation-McKinley – I cannot think of a better way to carry on the hard work done by the MVL team than by joining forces with such enthusiastic and energetic business partners.”

New Generation Wines was set up by James Booth in 2006 with the backing of the Record family. The company imports and distributes wines to independent merchants across the UK and the London-focused on-trade, as well as supplying selected lines to multiple retailers.

New Generation is predominantly owned by F&B Holdings (jointly owned by James and the Record family) with the balance of the shares being owned by the directors and Vinimark, a privately-owned South African distributor and exporter.

In the latest financial year to 31 July 2015, New Generation reached a turnover of approximately £3m.

McKinley Vintners was established by Peter and Di McKinley in 1980. In the last financial year turnover for the company was £2.4m, with sales mainly from regional merchants and the London on-trade.