Bancroft Wines announces exclusive partnership with Seppeltsfield

Effective on 1st November 2018, Bancroft Wines is proud to announce their appointment as the UK agents for Seppeltsfield, one of the Barossa Valley’s most iconic estates. Over its 167-year history, Seppeltsfield has built its reputation on the production of exceptional fortified wines and remains the only winery in the world to release a 100-year old, single vintage wine each year.

Established in 1851 by Joseph Seppelt, the winery flourished in the 20th century as part of the Seppelt family’s expanding interests in the liquor industry, which grew to include vineyards and wineries across various Australian regions. The Seppelts maintained ownership until 1985, when the winery entered a period of corporate ownership which lasted until 2007. Seppeltsfield is now owned by Warren Randall - a qualified viticulturist and winemaker who worked for the Seppelt family during the 1980s. Randall has led a Seppeltsfield renaissance by developing its vineyard holdings on the ‘Western Ridge’ of the Barossa Valley and restoring the winery’s heritage listed buildings, including the prized 1888 Gravity Cellar.

Despite its substantial vineyard ownership, Seppeltsfield has only ever offered their still wines from its cellar door in the Barossa. Led by winemakers Fiona Donald and Matthew Pick, they have recently released a range of Barossa still wines to the trade, for which Bancroft Wines will be exclusive agents in the UK. The range includes an Eden Valley Riesling

from the estate’s coolest and highest elevation vineyard, an unoaked Grenache from its prized bush vine Great Terraced Vineyard and a Shiraz from the Barossa’s Western ridge. Bancroft Wines will also be offering a selection of bottlings from Seppeltsfield’s Para Tawny Collection, as well as rare vintage antiquities from the estate’s Centennial Collection. 

Bancroft Wines’ CEO Jon Worsley comments:

“Seppeltsfield has been instrumental in shaping the history of the Australian wine industry, and it is an honour to be relaunching their wines in the UK market at such a pivotal moment in the estate’s history. Their fortified wines are true treasures of the wine world, and their focus on quality and authenticity has translated seamlessly into their fantastic new range of still wines. They are the perfect partners for Bancroft and we look forward to working together for many years to come”.

Chad Elson, General Manager Sales & Marketing of Seppeltsfield, comments:

“The UK market played a significant role in the early success of Seppeltsfield - the era of Imperial Preference particularly encouraging the estate’s rise as a supplier of choice for Brandy, Tawny, spirits and liqueurs. Coupled with this historical link, Bancroft’s on-trade and independent retail focus aligns perfectly with our desire to bring Seppeltsfield back to select

markets through quality distribution”.

Bancroft Wines announces exclusive partnership with Skillogalee

Effective November 1^st, Bancroft Wines is proud to announce their appointment as the exclusive UK agents for Skillogalee, a family-owned and operated winery located in the heart of the Clare Valley in South Australia. Known for the exceptional quality of their red and white wines, Skillogalee is widely recognised as one of Clare Valley’s top estatespracticed sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years.”

The original Skillogalee vineyards were planted in the early 1970’s on stony soils and steep, eastern facing slopes at almost 500 metres above sea level. The first wines were released in 1976 and quickly gained acclaim: the 1978 Dry Riesling won major trophies at the Adelaide Wine Show and the National Wine Show, putting Skillogalee firmly on the Australian winemaking map.

Aware of the exceptional quality of the vineyards and their potential to produce world-class wines, current owners David and Diana Palmer acquired the property in 1989. In 2002 they purchased next-door neighbour Waninga Vineyards, with 30 hectares of 30-year-old vines, bringing the size of the estate to 60 hectares. While production increased, the Palmers have taken great care to maintain the quality and characteristic style of the wines.

Although they eschew organic and biodynamic certification, sustainability is a top priority at Skillogalee, and every effort is taken to ensure the best quality grapes are harvested each year. The vines are hand-pruned and the fruit is mainly hand-picked, with yields kept extremely low. All wines are produced exclusively from estate-owned vineyards.

Bancroft Wines’ CEO Jon Worsley comments:

“We are thrilled to add Skillogalee to the Bancroft Wines’ portfolio- our first Clare Valley producer. These fantastic wines are the product of David and Diana Palmer’s tireless dedication to their craft. Through careful vineyard work and small-batch winemaking, they let their grapes speak honestly of the place and soils in which they are grown. Their focus on family, quality and sustainability make them the perfect partners for Bancroft”.

David Palmer, Co-Owner of Skillogalee, comments:

“After 25 years of exporting our wines to the UK we are delighted announce our new partnership with Bancroft Wines. Skillogalee is a small family-owned and operated wine company that has practiced sustainable methodologies in the vineyard and the winery for many years.  As such we believe we will fit comfortably into the model that Bancroft has adopted for the expansion of its Australian portfolio. We look forward working with the new team, continuing to build the Skillogalee brand identity as a producer of quality Clare Valley wines and to becoming a significant part of the Bancroft story”.

Bancroft team summer drinks!

We all enjoyed a brilliant evening at the beautiful Percy & Founders. We had a tongue-in-cheek awards ceremony and a pub quiz, rounded off by some karaoke - team bonding at its best!

Bancroft Wines announces exclusive partnership with Brokenwood

Bancroft Wines is proud to announce their appointment as the exclusive UK agents for Australia’s revered Brokenwood Wines.

Founded in 1970 as a hobby venture by three Sydney-based solicitors, Tony Albert, John Beeston and Australian wine critic James Halliday, Brokenwood has since achieved global recognition for producing some of the finest Australian wines.

While they are based in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Brokenwood’s strategy of sourcing from ‘all the right regions for all the right reasons’, has added wines from McLaren Vale in South Australia, Beechworth in Victoria, Margaret River in Western Australia, and Orange in New South Wales to their portfolio.

Brokenwood is well-known for the Cricket Pitch label, which was first sourced from a 4-hectare block at the foothills of the Hunter Valley’s Brokenback Ranges. The block was originally earmarked as the local cricket ground before they decided to plant a vineyard instead. Similarly, Brokenwood purchased their neighbouring block, which was intended to be the local cemetery, and instead planted Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon, becoming their critically acclaimed flagship wine, the Graveyard Vineyard Shiraz.

Celebrating 35 vintages at the helm of Brokenwood, Chief Winemaker and Managing Director Iain Riggs AM introduced new winery equipment and facilities specifically for premium white wine production when he joined in 1982. Since 1983, white wine has been a significant part of the total production, and Brokenwood’s Semillon is widely recognized as one of the finest in the Hunter Valley and the world.

Bancroft Wines’ Buying Director Barney Davis comments:

“Brokenwood grew from a family-and-friends winery into a world-class operation and one of Australia's most respected producers. It is testament to Iain Riggs’ talent and competence that throughout their expansion they have managed to remain fiercely committed to producing such unique and high-quality expressions of Australian terroir. We look forward to building a long-term partnership with them in the UK”.

Iain Riggs AM, Brokenwood Chief Winemaker/Managing Director, comments:

“Brokenwood has been in the off trade and on restaurant tables in the UK since the late 1970s and we are thrilled to continue our distribution with Bancroft Wines. We look forward to a valuable partnership and maintaining the availability of premium Australian wine in the UK market.”

Bancroft Wines announces their appointment as UK agents for Delicato Family Vineyards' leading portfolio brands

Bancroft Wines announces their appointment as agents in the UK for California-based Delicato Family Vineyards (“Delicato”), one of the top ten wine companies in the US. Effective August 1^st Bancroft Wines will represent key Delicato brands including Noble Vines, Gnarly Head, Brazin, Stone Barn, and Black Stallion Estate Winery, which won the IWSC trophy for Best USA Wine Producer in 2017.

Delicato was founded by Gaspare Indelicato and his uncle Sebastiano Luppino, Italian immigrants who started growing grapes in Lodi in 1924. Family-owned and operated since the company’s founding, four generations of the Indelicato family have cemented the winery’s commitment and reputation for innovation, quality and environmental stewardship.

Today, Delicato is one of the fastest-growing wine companies in the United States, and is run by Gaspare’s grandsons Chris Indelicato, president and CEO, and his brother Jay Indelicato, COO. They farm over 1,700 hectares of family-owned vineyards across Lodi, Monterey, and Napa Valley.

Bancroft Wines’ CEO Jon Worsley comments:

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to begin this new partnership with Delicato Family Vineyards. Over the years they have championed the quality and diversity of premium Californian wines, and most importantly, we share our fundamental values of family, quality and sustainability. The Bancroft team looks forward to building on current sales, increasing distribution in the UK and forming a long-term partnership”.

Chris Indelicato, Delicato Family Vineyards President and CEO comments:

“Delicato is the seventh largest exporter of California wines, with established distribution partnerships across five continents in more than 50 countries worldwide. As the 6^th largest wine market in the world – this market is important to our industry and our business, and we are confident that Bancroft Wines is the right fit to represent our portfolio.”

Bancroft Wines announces exclusive partnership with Franco Conterno

Bancroft Wines is proud to announce their appointment as exclusive agents in the UK for iconic Piedmont producer Franco Conterno.

Azienda Franco Conterno is located in the heart of the Langhe, in the hamlet of Bussia di Monforte d’Alba. The estate has 28 hectares of vineyards, 18 of which planted in the territory of Barolo,

in Monforte d’Alba (Bussia), Castiglione Falletto (Pugnane) and Novello (Panerole). The remaining 10 hectares are planted in Madonna di Como.

The estate’s oldest vines were planted by Pietro Conterno before being passed on to his son Giacomo and later to his nephew Franco, who took over in 1996. Today the winery run by Franco, his wife Vilma and their two sons Andrea and Daniele, together with his wife Emina. The family continues to honour the legacy of Pietro by producing authentic, world-class wines that reflect the exceptional area microclimate and terroir.

Franco Conterno is dedicated to the cultivation of Lampia and Michet Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Merlot, Freisa and Chardonnay. Their labels bear the names of the most prestigious vineyards: Bussia and Panerole. Viticulture and winemaking strikes the perfect balance between tradition and modernity. Vineyard work eschews the use of chemicals and great care is taken to ensure the healthiest-possible grapes; each hectare requires 630 hours of manual work per year. In the cellars modern technology, meticulous analysis and judicious ageing in oak and bottle ensures the consistent high quality the estate is known for.

Bancroft Wines’ CEO Jon Worsley comments:

“The Conterno family has been producing wines of extreme quality, elegance and prestige in Piedmont for several generations, and their work has shaped our very notion of what Piedmontese wines should be. The endless care they apply to their vineyards and cellars, their emphasis on sustainability and their commitment to running a true family business reflect Bancroft’s own values. We look forward to playing a part in promoting the Conterno legacy in the UK and forming a long-term partnership”

Franco Conterno, Azienda Franco Conterno, comments:

“It is an honour for our company to enter the UK market with Bancroft Wines: we hope to establish a long working relationship with them and to pass on to all team members the passion and love for our wine and our land, which has guided us for generations”

Bancroft Wines appoints Buying Director

London-based wine distributor Bancroft Wines has confirmed the appointment of Barney Davis as its new Buying Director. Davis joins the business on 4^th June 2018.

Davis has over 20 years of industry experience having held buying positions at Somerfield Supermarkets and The Co-Operative Group before working in commercial roles for the Company of Wine People, Robert Oatley Vineyards and Kingsland Drinks. Most recently Davis has been working at Lanchester Wines where he was responsible for restructuring the group’s bulk buying programme.

Bancroft Wines CEO Jon Worsley comments:

“We are very pleased to welcome Barney into our business. He has a proven track record of exceptional work with leading producers from around the world and operational excellence that can be implemented into our business as we work to achieve our ambitious growth plans.”

Davis will join the company board and will be overseeing all aspects of the buying and shipping. Of his appointment, Davis said he was “thrilled and excited” to be joining the company at “such a pivotal time for the business”.

On behalf of the entire Bancroft team, we would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Davis on his appointment and welcome him to the team.

Diaries out! Bancroft Wines Autumn Portfolio Tasting

When Tuesday 19th September
Where 67 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5ES

Bancroft Wines invite you to join them for their Autumn portfolio tasting at 67 Pall Mall. Our Autumn edit will be focusing on all things new - new producers, new world, new frontiers and new blood. We pride ourselves on working with some of the most innovative, second (or more) generation winemakers with a real flavour for contemporary practices, with their sights set firmly on the future of the wine trade. In this tasting, we will exemplify these ideologies, introducing you to a number of brand new organic, biodynamic and minimum intervention producers, and showcasing our existing band of dreamers and innovators.

Two South Africans walk into a bar...

... along with many restaurants, hotels and wine merchants across the UK. And all in just five short days with the Bancroft team! 

Part of the week's line-up on the banks of the Thames

Last month we were joined by two old friends, colleagues and drinking buddies, Kevin Grant of Ataraxia Wines (Hemel-en-Aarde) and Carl Schultz of Hartenberg Wine Estate (Stellenbosch), along with Kevin's wonderful wife Hanli. We were lucky enough to have their company for almost a whole week, meaning that we were able to fit in a lot of tastings and visits, both in London and the regions. Each day was jam-packed with activity; we weren't taking any chances, considering that the last time we saw Carl in the UK was 3 whole years ago! 

The elusive(!) Carl Schultz, teaching all things Hartenberg to the Bancroft Team 

The week's activities included Bancroft Staff Training (as pictured), many lunches and dinners, some braaibroodjies and of course a lot of absolutely brilliant wine! Both wineries showed their current and upcoming releases, which included the return of a revamped Ataraxia Serenity 2015 and the brand new (not yet labelled!) Hartenberg Rhone Blend 2014, plus some very special back-vintages of Carl's flagship Shiraz, Gravel Hill.   

Kevin Grant of Ataraxia sharing his (ever-brilliant!) insights and anecdotes

We would like to thank Carl, Kevin & Hanli for their time, their hard work and their wonderful company, and we hope that everyone we visited came away feeling as inspired and excited about South African wine as we do!

Westwell Wines - Trophy Champions!

Last month we joined our English wine producer, Westwell Wines, in celebrating their International Wine Challenge success at the London Wine Fair. They were awarded not one but TWO trophies for their Special Cuvée 2014: one regional trophy, for the best English Sparkling Vintage Classic Blend; and one national - the English Sparkling Trophy.  

This beautiful vintage wine is a classic 'Champagne' blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, sourced from the estate's own 9 hectare plantings of the three varieties. It undergoes a minimum of 36 months ageing prior to disgorgement. 

This wine is no stranger to the awards circuit, with previous vintages picking up gold and silver medals in the IWC, and a silver in the IWSC, showing not only its consistent quality, but the increasing impact that this small, Kent-based family business is making in the wider English and Sparkling wine Worlds. We know how incredibly hard they have worked to get here, they take no shortcuts, and their vision for the quality and firm provenance of their wines is unwavering. 

In their own words: "Our sparkling wines are made with a lot of love and that is also what they are meant to be drunk for!"

We are immensely proud to be working with John and Rids and their stunning wines, and we are very excited for what the future may hold for this great partnership - Cheers!

Bancroft Wines Ltd. acquires Mason and Mason Wines Ltd.

Bancroft Wines is delighted to announce its acquisition of Mason and Mason Wines Ltd, effective from the 31^st May 2017.

As part of Bancroft Wines’ ambitious growth plans, the Board have been pursuing acquisition opportunities to complement and invigorate Bancroft Wines’ organic growth strategy. 

Mason & Mason was founded in 2002 by husband and wife team Nick Mason and Laura Mason.  Mason & Mason Wines are specialists in distinct ‘farm not factory’ organic wines. They distribute wines into the on-trade, independent off-trade and national channels.

Nick Mason has a long-standing career of over 30 years in the wine trade, having worked as a Buyer (Harrods, Groupe Chez Gerard), Salesman (Ehrmanns, Bibendum, Richards Walford), Cellar-hand (New Zealand and the Rhone), and journalist (Slow Food).

The Mason & Mason portfolio is innovative and diverse. This perfectly dovetails into the Bancroft Wines extensive portfolio, bringing wines which Nick Mason describes as having “exceptional purity, ping and brightness”. They are wines that tie in with the consumer’s ever increasing awareness and hunger for provenance, ethics and identity, whilst offering exceptional value and drinkability.

This acquisition represents a clear opportunity for both businesses to create an enhanced, potent and dynamic portfolio of customers and suppliers.

Managing Director of Bancroft Wines, Neil McAndrew comments:

“This is an exciting development in the history of Bancroft Wines and reflects the commitment of both the Chairman and the board to long term investment and growth within this fast-moving market.”

Owner and co-founder of Mason & Mason Wines, Nick Mason comments:

“We are very excited about creating a successful new partnership with Bancroft Wines. We believe both portfolios complement each other beautifully, echoing our shared philosophy on excellence of product and customer service. Represented together, they will take our combined businesses to the next level.”

Sales and Marketing Director of Bancroft Wines, Susan Harper comments:

“This very exciting acquisition further enhances the exceptional range of wines that Bancroft Wines is able to offer, reflecting the same values that Bancroft Wines was initially founded on, but also pointing the company forwards in the direction of further bright and long-term success.”

Information on Bancroft Wines

Bancroft Wines is an award-winning London-based specialist wine distributor offering a complete and competitive range of exceptional wines. We are dedicated to delivering excellent advice and service and forming long-term relationships with our clients and producers alike.

Wherever possible, Bancroft Wines aims to build exclusive relationships with suppliers. In our 25^th year of business, these relationships have been built up over many vintages, making our selection of wines unique. Our suppliers are mostly small, family-owned domaines with an unwavering passion to produce the very best wine they can from the land they own.

Bancroft Wines supplies the on-trade, independent off-trade, private clients and a number of select national accounts.

Bancroft Wines appointed Susan Harper as Sales and Marketing Director in December 2016. 

In 2015 Bancroft Wines was awarded Best Overall Agent/Distributor (small) of the Year in the Annual Harpers Awards: “The award for small agent of the year has been awarded to Bancroft Wines for the excellent work it has conducted in enhancing customer service and diversifying its range, which it has showcased through masterclasses and innovative tastings.”

Mariette's Champagne Mission

In May, Mariette Abovici from our London on-trade sales team took some lucky clients out to Champagne, to meet all of our growers and taste their glorious wines! She kindly wrote this report for us:

The trip was very educational, for my customers and for myself. We received a very warm welcome from all our growers, we have seen Gratiot-Pillière vineyards and had a food and champagne matching organized at Christelle and Olivier beautiful house with a caterer. 

The second day, we went to Epernay in the morning, visited the Avenue de Champagne (most expensive avenue of the world with the billions of bottles in the cellars) which is always impressive, spent the afternoon visiting the cellars and tasting Moncuit champagne with Nicole and Yves. Before driving to Reims, we did a quick stop in Hautvillers, to see the abbaye of Dom Perignon (monk who created the champagne) and the beautiful view on the valley from the picnic area. If you open a bottle of champagne there that’s a bonus!

Just time to check in at the hotel in Reims and we headed to Le Petit Comptoir for having a very nice dinner with Jean-Claude who was a bit sick but still very enthusiastic.

The last morning, we drove to Paillard, visited the cellars, tasted the champagnes and had lunch back in Reims at the Boulingrin. Time to go back to London then! Everybody (except the driver obviously) was sleeping in the car.

The chardonnay vineyards have been touched by the frost (Moncuit and Gratiot Pillière). Not the Pinot Meunier because it was late so not out yet. Paillard has been very lucky.

My impressions: if you want to impress your customers, take them to Paillard (special room to receive and taste, big cellars, long history and tradition showcased). If you want to have a more bespoke experience, go to Gratiot-Pillière, where we have been received at their house and had a special champagne & food dinner with a caterer just for us. If you want a very French authentic experience, go to Moncuit (they do not really speak English) but their champagnes are lovely, low dosage.

We did not visit Joseph Perrier (only champagne house in Châlons-en-Champagne) but we had dinner with Jean-Claude Fourmon, the CEO.

Mariette Abovici, London On-Trade Sales

Bancroft Wines announces partnership with Grande Marque Champagne house Joseph Perrier

We're delighted to announce that from this month we will be working with esteemed Grand Marque Champagne house Joseph Perrier.

Jean-Claude Fourmon, owner and winemaker at Bancroft Wines HQ

Joseph Perrier is a small, family owned Champagne House based in Chalons-en-Champagne.  It has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current CEO, Jean-Claude Fourmon represents the 4th Generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 22 hectares of vineyards, located in the heart of Champagne on the right bank of the river Marne, around Cumieres and Hautvillers, mostly planted with Pinot Noir and also including 2 hectares of Chardonnay.

Joseph Perrier has a reputation for producing wines with a fruity style, fine mousse and long refreshing finish. We will be representing the whole Joseph Perrier portfolio, initially focusing on six of the styles. All are available in stock with immediate effect, including:

·         Cuvée Royale Brut NV

·         Cuvée Royale Brut Rosé NV

·         Cuvée Royale Blanc de Blancs NV

·         Cuvée Royale Blanc de Noirs Vintage Brut Nature 2009

·         Cuvée Royale Brut Vintage 2008

·         Cuvée Josephine 2008

The Cuvée Royale range is a recognition of the history of cuvees once supplied to HRH Queen Victoria and King Edward VII.

This is an exciting new addition for us this year! Get in touch to request a sample or speak to your account manager directly. Cheers!

Find out more on the Joseph Perrier website and on our own website here.