Moreno Wines replaces Navajas

Spanish specialist Moreno Wines has taken on the distribution of Rioja brand Marqués de Cáceres in England.

The importer had lost the UK distribution of Bodegas Navajas, which moved to PLB from March this year.

Since then, Marqués de Cáceres and Moreno have been in discussions but reaching an agreement took time due to the Rioja brand’s arrangement with its former distributor Peter Major of Doudet & Major, explained Moreno sales director Alex Canneti.

“We had to buy the company,” he said, allowing Moreno to take on Doudet & Major’s 100 key accounts for Marqués de Cáceres, as well as Peter Major, who has joined the Spanish specialist’s sales team.

“Peter is very professional and a highly disciplined salesman and he will train us all,” said Canneti.

Meanwhile, Moreno is working on “filling the gaps” in terms of Marqués de Cáceres distribution in England.

Marqués de Cáceres marketing manager Anne Vallejo commented, “Doudet & Major has distributed Marqués de Cáceres to the on-trade in the south east for many years, including several of the Spanish restaurants in and around London.

“This take-over will guarantee supplies of Marqués de Cáceres to these accounts and, hopefully, the brand will gain new ground through other clients who are already purchasing their wine supplies from Moreno Wines,” she added.