Domaines Baron de Rothschild builds UK sales with new appointment

Domaines Baron de Rothschild (Lafite) is looking to expand its presence in the UK after appointing a new national sales director to its senior team.

New national sales director Helen Miller will head up Domaines Barons de Rothschild’s UK growth

Helen Miller is set to head up the UK off-trade sales at Waddesdon Wine, the UK importer that forms part of the Rothschild Foundation and which imports and markets wines from the Rothschild wineries.

Miller joins the company from E& J Gallo Winery, where she has worked since 2004. After joining as a key account manager, she managed the company’s UK on-trade accounts for two years, before moving to the role of senior national account manager grocery and premium in 2008, taking on responsibility for its Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Ocado and Majestic accounts as well as premium new business.

In her new role, Miller will represent the DBR (Lafite) branded wines, including wines from Viña Los Vascos in Chile, Bodegas Caro in Argentina, Domaine d’Aussières in Corbières and the Légende range from Bordeaux. She will also have access to Château Lafite Rothschild, Château Duhart-Milon, Château L’Evangile and Château Rieussec, the company said.

Chris Campbell, CEO of Wadesdon Wine said it had been crucial to recruit someone with gravitas and rigour as it continued to grow the volumes of DBR (Lafite) in the UK.

“It was also important that we recruited someone with first-rate commercial acumen, and who recognises the significance of working with a family company who has been producing Grand Vin at the highest level for over 150 years,” he said.

CEO of DBR (Lafite) Christophe Salin, welcomed Miller, adding that she was “a significant asset” that would contribute to the development of DBR wines in a market to which the company was “historically and deeply attached”.

Miller added that part of her new role would involve looking to work with carefully selected new customers, as well as developing business with its existing and loyal customer base.

Current clients of Waddesdon Wine include the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace, the Dorchester Collection, Mandarin Oriental and the Ritz, as well as Mitchells and Butlers, Marks & Spencer, Harrods, Direct Wines and Majestic. It also work with local distributors to offer a single point of contact for all the Rothschild wines.