Jasper Morris MW to leave BBR

Berry Bros & Rudd’s Burgundy director, Jasper Morris MW, is to leave the merchant this summer.

A newsletter from BBR’s Hong Kong team that was sent out this week included an invitation to a ‘Farewell Dinner’ with Morris on 25 January.

The newsletter noted that this would be Morris’s last trip to Hong Kong with BBR as he was “retiring this coming June”. In fact BBR has said he will officially step down at the end of July.

BBR’s chief executive, Dan Jago, commented: “’There comes a time… thus it is with a heavy heart that we announce the news of Jasper’s retirement from Berry Bros. & Rudd this summer. His contribution to Berry Bros. & Rudd and FMV has been invaluable.

“Jasper has been an inspiration to many of the younger members of the company – Adam Bruntlett in particular, who for the first time took the lead buying role for the 2015 Burgundy vintage after four years of working closely with Jasper.

“He will be a sorely missed by the business and we wish him every success.”

Morris added: “I loved my first 20 years as an independent wine merchant but selling our business to Berry Bros. & Rudd in 2003 was probably the best decision I made. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years working for Berry’s and I am very fortunate to be finishing on the high note of the fabulous 2015 vintage.”

Last year Morris became the new senior consultant for Christie’s at the Hospices de Beaune auction after Anthony Hanson MW stepped down from the role and he apparently intends to write a revised edition of ‘Inside Burgundy‘.