Where are they now? New homes for ex-FMV agencies

Following the restructuring of UK fine wine wholesaler FMV last month, a number of top producers have found new homes with importers and distributors across the UK, we list some of the major ones.

The prestigious merchant recently unveiled a much slimmer list of fine wine labels, a good many of them Burgundian, that it would continue to represent in the UK.

A large number of former FMV producers, however, have found themselves new agents.

Chief among these has been Bancroft Wines.

In a joint statement, Berry Bros & Rudd and Bancroft explained that the two companies had “built an association” together while the merchant restructured its  wholesaling arm.

Jon Worsley, Bancroft Wines CEO, said: “As part of our long-term strategy, Bancroft was looking to strengthen the business through producer and customer acquisition and the opportunity to work with BBR presented itself earlier in the year.

This has resulted in Bancroft taking by far the largest slice of FMV’s former portfolio, a total of 37 producers in all and with more to be announced over the coming weeks apparently. Bancroft will also share representation of certain producers with FMV.

Furthermore, some key staff from FMV have transferred over to Bancroft, notably Damian Carrington and Lenka Sedlackova MW as agency director and senior brand manager respectively.

“There is no doubt that relationships are hugely important to what we do, and we saw scope to add great talent to strengthen our dedicated team,” said Worsley. “We have been welcoming new On and Off Trade customers who have followed and purchased these wines and built their own relationships with our new colleagues.”

Those producers Bancroft have taken on are:

Alvaro Palacios (Spain, pictured above), Alexandre Burgaud (France), Altugnac (France), Anthonij Rupert (South Africa), Azienda Agricola Marion (Italy)

Bedrock Wine Co (US), Birichino (US), Bodegas Pazo Tizón (Spain)

Château Bellegrave Pomerol, Château Labadie, Château La Nerthe, Château Lucas (France), Cillar de Silos (Spain), Constantia Glen (South Africa)

Dog Point Vineyard (New Zealand), Domaine Ostertag, Domaine Berthenet, Domaine de la Rocaillère, Domaine de Valmengaux, Domaine des Deux Roches, Domaine du Colombier, Domaine Haute Févrie, Domaine Métrat & Fils, Domaine Chignard, Domaine Thomson (France)

Famille Paquet (France), Finca Allende (Spain), Frankland Estate (Australia)

Champagne Gaston Chiquet (France)

Le Domaine d’Henri (France)

Isabel Estate (New Zealand)

Lis Neris (Italy)

Masottina, Monte del Frá (Italy)

Selbach-Oster (France)

Telmo Rodriguez (Spain)

Weingut Eymann (Germany)

New team appointments:

Damian Carrington, Agency Director
Lenka Sedlackova MW, Senior Brand Manager
Beatriz Rodriguez, Sales Manager, London
Louisa-Jane Carrington, Sales Manager, London
Joanna Roberts, Sales Manager, South West
Emma Lomax, Digital Marketing Coordinator
Ashlyn Joseph, Accountant

New additions by Liberty Wines, Bibendum and Berkmann Wine Cellars can be found on the following pages.

Liberty Wines
Rafael Palacios (Valdeorras, Galicia, pictured)
Dominio do Bibei (Ribeira Sacra, Galicia)
Raventós I Blanc (Cataluña)
Jean-Marc Burgaud (Morgon, Beaujolais)
Famille Perrin (Southern Rhône)
Château de Fontarèche (Corbières, Languedoc)
Mullineux (Swartland)
Leeu Passant (Western Cape)

Bibendum
Bodegas Mustiguillo (Spain)
Neudorf Vineyards (New Zealand)
Giovanni Rosso (Italy)
Domaine Felines Jourdan (Languedoc)
Quinta de la Rosa (Douro)
Flint Vineyard (Norfolk, pictured)

Thorman Hunt
Le Soula (France)
Lyrarakis (Greece)
Clos la Coutale (France)
Azienda Agricola Roberto Sarotto, (Italy)

Berkmann Wine Cellars
Pulenta Estate
Jacquesson (France)

Justerini & Brooks
Storm Wines (South Africa, pictured)

Delibo Wine Agencies 
Crittenden Estate (Australia)
Grand Cros (France)

Newcomer Wines/Kiffe
Sebastien Riffault (France)

Uncharted
Craven Vineyards (South Africa)