Wine writer Will Lyons joins Berry Bros

Wine writer Will Lyons is to join Berry Bros. & Rudd in mid-April as a ‘senior fine wine executive’ in a newly created division offering fine wine advice to the merchant’s top clients.

Will Lyons is a respected wine writer and contributes to a number of newspapers. Photo credit: Jason Alden

Lyons will be based in Berry’s London office, and will report to sales director Simon Staples, who is moving to the UK from Japan next week. Lyons has almost 20 years’ experience in the wine business. He began his career in 1997 working for Justerini & Brooks, then Lea & Sandeman before moving into journalism, writing wine columns for The Wall Street Journal, The Sunday Times and Scotland on Sunday.

“I am really pleased that Will has agreed to re-enter the wine business with the acknowledged market leaders for over 300 years,” said Berry’s chief executive, Dan Jago.

Continuing, he said, “He combines huge knowledge and a respected position in the trade with strong commercial acumen, and will be a great addition to this new team.”

Lyons added: “I am delighted to be joining one of the most prestigious wine merchants in the world… It is hugely exciting to be joining such a talented team and I look forward to sharing my passion for fine wine and working with Simon Staples and the rest of the team to deliver the best experience in the fine wine world.”

Lyons will join the company in mid-April, and it is hoped that he will play a core role in the new division, forging long-term relationships with the merchant’s high-spending customers.

Lyons also told db today that he would continue to write his column for The Dish by The Sunday Times.