Sogrape appoints UK MD to drive on-trade growth

Portuguese wine company the Sogrape Group has appointed a new managing director for its UK business.

Gonçalo Sousa Machado, new Managing Director of Sogrape UK

Gonçalo Sousa Machado, who headed up the company’s on-trade business in Portugal, is taking the helm in the UK, as the company looks to “significantly” develop its on-trade business across the UK.

Sousa Machado, who has been with the company since 2001, is taking over from Matt Douglas, who has headed up the company’s UK arm for four years. Douglas joined the then-UK wine agency Stevens Garnier in 2011 as managing director, shortly after it was bought by Sogrape, and prior to that was operations director at the Argento Wine Company and spent six years with Bibendum.

Rolando Borges Martins from the Sogrape board of directors thanked Douglas, adding that the appointment showed the company’s commitment to the UK market.

“We are delighted Gonçalo is taking the helm in the UK and we are confident of continued growth and success for our brands in one of Sogrape’s largest and most important markets.”

The company owns the Sandeman and Mateus brands, along with Bodegas LAN in Rioja and Finca Flichman in Argentina. In 2015 it developed its Casa Ferreirinha brands and added Ropiteau Frères from Boisset to the portfolio.

According to accounts filed at Companies House, Sogrape UK Limited’s turnover in the 12 months to 31 December tipped £11m, up from £7.6m the previous year, as the company returned to profit in 2014.