Dates for your Diary: Producer Visits and Tastings

We've got a busy few months coming up, with lots of producers due to visit us, plus an exciting new series of monthly tastings from now until the summer months take hold.

*NEW* Bancroft Spring Snapshot Tasting

When: Wednesday 19th April, 10am - 4:30pm

Where: Roosevelt Room, Brown's Hotel, 33 Albermarle Street, London W1S 4BP

Theme: ICYMI - bitesized portfolio tasting

We would like to invite you to the first in a series of brand new 'snapshot' tastings, which we will be holding once a month, starting in April - same time, same place, same set-up, different theme. Simple!

Click here to view the Invitation, and to register

This series of tastings will have a different theme each month, and will include some guest appearances from our wonderful winemakers! Each month we will send out a new invitation, detailing the upcoming date and theme - all of the other details will stay the same. Our aim is to bring you a fresh, carefully curated snapshot of our portfolio, perfect for speed-tasting in your break or for mulling over in more detail. 

Stay tuned for more... 

Producer Visits

April

Tuesday 25th - Thursday 27th - Arnaud Bergasse from Viranel (St Chinian) will be in London for one day, and then will be touring the South West for two days! 

May

Tuesday 2nd - Friday 5th - Chateau Montelena (Napa). Bo Barrett (GM/Master WInemaker) and Brian Baker (VP Sales & Marketing) will be in London for a few jam-packed days of events celebrating all things California, Napa and, well, Chateau Montelena! Enquire here for event information.

Tuesday 16th - Thursday 18th - Herència Altés (Terra Alta) Official UK Launch. We are delighted to announce the dates for this launch of our incredibly exciting new Spanish agency, from the beautiful Terra Alta in Catalunya. The core team from the winery will be in London for a series of events, including a focused trade tasting and press launch. Watch this space and your inboxes for more details!

June

w/c 12th - The South Africans are in town! Kevin and Hanli Grant of Ataraxia (Hemel-en-Aarde) and Carl Schultz of Hartenberg Wine Estate (Stellenbosch) are gracing us with a tandem visit. Throughout this week, we will be hosting a number of lunches, dinners and tastings to showcase the diversity of the Western Cape and probably to eat lots of biltong too.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of our upcoming events. Please keep an eye on our events calendar, your inbox (if you are not yet subscribed, email us to do so). Pop us an email to express your interest in getting involved with any of the above events, or to receive more details of our plans.

Bancroft Wines at SITT Spring Tastings 2017

We sent teams to both SITT Spring events, in Manchester on Monday 27th February and London on Wednesday 1st March, and had a marvelous time showcasing our selected wines to visitors, both familiar and new. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to taste with us - we hope you enjoyed it as much as we did!

Some members of the Bancroft team at SITT London

Below is a list of all of the bottles that made an appearance on our table at both events, including some new listings:

Sparkling

Champagne Gratiot-Pillière Tradition Brut NV

Lambrusco di Modena, Cantina della Volta 2009

White

Grillo, Il Folle 2015

Hartenberg Riesling 2014

Cheninsolite, Alex Cady 2014

Sin Palabras Albariño, Adegas Castro Brey 2015

Garnatxa Blanca, Herència Altés

Sa Fita, Es Fangar 2015

Ribolla, Marjan Simčič 2015

Ataraxia Chardonnay 2015

Red

Saumur Champigny Tuffe, Chateau du Hureau 2012

Elena Walch Pinot Nero 2015

Garnatxa Negra, Herència Altés 2015

Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz, Hartenberg 2013

Cotes-du-Rhone Reserve Rouge, Domaine de Grand Veneur 2015

The tempting line-up

Bancroft Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting 2017

We held our annual portfolio tasting on Wednesday 15^th February, at the wonderful Glaziers Hall, London Bridge; a new year and a brand new venue for Bancroft! Guests enjoyed views of the (albeit slightly grey and gloomy) Thames as they sipped and slurped their way through our portfolio selection.

The atmospheric River Room at Glaziers Hall, illuminated in Bancroft blue!

The more eagle-eyed attendees may have noticed a couple of new names nestled amidst the usual suspects. These included Raf and Nuria De Haan of Herència Altés, from Spain’s Terra Alta region, whose official UK launch will be coming soon – watch this space! They have already been making waves in the wine community, with 7 of their wines being awarded 90 points and over by the Wine Advocate’s Luis Guttiérez. Another debut that drew much attention was Mallorquin winery Es Fangar, presented by Oria Palma, and with wines made by Daniel Morales of Priorat and South African fame. In the snapshot selection, a clutch of new labels could be seen among the ranks, namely Mas des Combes (Gaillac), Domaine de l’Alba (Corbières), Domaine Guisset (Roussillon) and Château Mazetier (Bordeaux).  Anyone interested in learning more about our new additions will be able to read all about them in our new list, to be released in April, or by contacting us directly at marketing@bancroftwines.com.

Oria Palmer of Es Fangar pouring her wines

Raf and Nuria De Haan

We were lucky enough to be joined by representatives for 27 of our wonderful producers, and tasters were able to sample over 250 wines from our portfolio. Alongside the individual producer tables, we featured two Snapshot selections – one general and one focusing on Burgundy – to give a flavour of what else we have to offer.

Ever generous, we featured a prize draw to win a magnum of Gratiot-Pillière Tradition Brut to those who took the time to fill out our feedback form at the back of the booklet. Congratulations to Justin Waples, the lucky winner – party at his place, everyone!

Oria Palma was also kind (and brave!) enough to treat a few guests to a Masterclass on Es Fangar and the wines of Mallorca. A learning curve for many in attendance, her insight was fascinating – so fascinating, in fact, that I am going to write a separate blog post about it! 

Stay tuned for more...  

New recruits: Jack Cousins

Now fully inducted into life at Bancroft Wines, Jack Cousins has recently joined us on the orders desk as Sales Support Coordinator. A small Q&A session with him let's us get to know him better...

What were you doing before you came to Bancroft?

Working in wine PR, however I fancied pursuing a career in sales and was lucky enough to land a job here at Bancroft as a Sales Support Coordinator.

Dishoom Family Mela

Once a year Dishoom organises a huge party for all their staff and families. On Monday we attended to man the wine bar, as summer intern Alice Brandon reports...

Myself, along with a few other lucky Bancroft staff, not only spent a sunny Monday out of the office, but were fortunate enough to share in Dishoom’s celebrations.  Dishoom hosted a Family Mela for their staff and families celebrating both their commercial and charitable successes.

Ten Minutes by Tractor - 'making waves'

Last week we were delighted to be visited by Martin Spedding from boutique Mornington Peninsula winery Ten Minutes by Tractor. For me especially, this is one producer visit that I always find particularly enjoyable, being one of my favourite wineries in the world. I 'discovered' it, and the rest of the Mornington, on a happy post-vintage trip when I was last in Australia, three years ago, as recommended by the winemaker I was working with at the time. Coming here and tasting at the cellar door then was a bit of a light-bulb moment for me. It was here when I finally 'got' Pinot Noir and Chardonnay - from this side of the world and from a cool climate, but it all suddenly made sense - over a taste of the 'difficult' 2011 vintage Pinot Noir.

This time, Martin was here for a 'Making Waves' tasting hosted at Australia House along with 11 other producers from the Mornington Peninsula. In the morning there was a masterclass in which Martin presented the McCutcheon Pinot Noir, and Coolart Road Pinot Noir - the latest edition to the Ten Minutes by Tractor portfolio - a whole bunch pressed Pinot Noir which offers an earthier style of wines relative to his others. A trade and press tasting followed where a number of friendly faces were in attendance.

Martin pouring at the Mornington Peninsula's Making Waves tasting, with an interested Oz Clarke in conversation

Bancroft Wines at the 2016 London Wine Fair

One of our favourite things to do here at Bancroft Wines is to hang out with our wine producers and once a year we get a chance to do that for three full days over the London Wine Fair.

Here's a summary of the show for us this year in pictures.... If you missed out on any of the wines or would like a sample, download, the tech sheets from our website, or get in touch with your Account Manager for more information. Thanks to all those who stopped by our stand to meet the faces behind the labels!

Bancroft's Johnny P and our favourite Mexican, Luis from Remirez de Ganuza (Rioja)

Newbie Trade Sales Simon Newbury and Christina from Lionello Marchesi (Chianti)

Bancroft's Wine fair Maestro, James Wainscott and Raf De Haan from Export Iberia showing off our recently much bolstered Spanish offering.

Bancroft Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting 2016

Join us at our Annual Portfolio Tasting this Tuesday 9th February, featuring a fantastic range of our best producers from around the globe. With over 30 producers in attendance, you will have the rare opportunity to taste alongside the talented men and women who nurture their wines from grape to bottle and bring their unique insights to terroir, viticultutre and vinification.

Register here

 

PRESS preview hour: 10-11am

Trade Customers: 11-7pm

Tuesday, 9 February 2016 from 11:00 to 19:00

Add to Calendar

 

The Westbury Hotel - 2nd Floor. 37 Conduit Street. London W1S 2YF 

View Map

This year we will also be featuring a masterclass, Focus on Fizz: 'The Modern Face of Méthode Traditionelle' at 4PM. Spaces are limited; to reserve your place and learn more about this focused tasting please click here.

Harpers Wine Trends for 2016: Future Proof

The crystal ball reveals itself in this month's Harper's where 3D wines and our boutique wines from Revancha in Argentina are part of the predictions for forthcoming wine trends in 2016.

Read the full article here:
http://www.harpers.co.uk/sectors/insights-what-will-blaze-the-way-for-on-trade-trends-in-2016/528735.article

Bancroft Wines wins ‘Best Overall Agent/Distributor of the Year Small’ in this year's Harpers Awards

Bancroft Wines wins at Harpers Wine and Spirit Awards 2015

In our 25^th year of business and following the most successful year in the company’s history we're delighted to announce that we have won the Harpers Award 2015 for:

‘Best Overall Agent/Distributor of the Year Small’ (Turnover of £10 million or under)’.

‘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’

This is the first time Bancroft Wines has won this award. In 2014 we were proud runners up for ‘Best supplier to Independent Merchants’ in the Harpers Wine Awards.

Managing Director, Neil McAndrew comments:

“I am delighted that we have won this prestigious award. It will be a great boost for our talented team and above all reflects our passion, consistency and customer-first approach.

To achieve this industry stamp of approval is just rewards for all our hard work and commitment to what we do and confirms my long standing belief that Bancroft Wines is increasingly becoming a force to be reckoned with in a highly competitive market’. 

Here's to another vintage year! 

Bancroft takes to the Languedoc with Domaine de Mus, Domaine de l’Hortus and Viranel

New recruit Ben McVeigh-Whitaker reports...

Bancroft's Ben, Mike, and Jason with Camilla from the Somerset Wine Company, Toby Webster from Black Dog Wines, Phil Innes from Loki Wines in Birmingham, Nick Underwood and William Mason.

Last week, Bancroft visited the Languedoc with 5 lucky customers to visit three of our producers and witness the harvest in action. It is always a treat to go and visit the wineries, see the terroir and meet the people behind the wines. But to see the harvest in action was very exciting. There is a sense of excitement all around, with picker in the vineyards, tractors and vineyard machinery buzzing around the country lanes, fully ripe grapes everywhere you look, and a great sense of anticipation in the air!

The Bancroft Bosca Polo Cup: West Wycombe Polo Club

It's been a busy few weeks at Bancroft HQ. Last Sunday the Bancroft Wines team headed out of London in the company of Alberto Arizu from Bodegas Luigi Bosca in Argentina for a day of anglo-argentine culture and cuisine at West Wycombe Polo ground.

Bancroft's newest recruit: meet Ben McVeigh-Whitaker

Ben McVeigh-Whitaker is new to our orders desk - get to know him here, and on the phone when you place your next order... we get to know what makes him tick. Welcome Ben!

What were you doing before you came to Bancroft?

I was a sommelier at 28-50 Wine Workshop & Kitchen…if you want incredible value fine wine in a London restaurant, go there!

How did you discover your love for wine?

Errr…Chilean Reds? Maybe not a traditional wine trade answer, but I remember at the very start being extremely taken with their big and bold flavours, and this led me to explore!  I decided it was definitely love in the tasting room at Mouton Rothschild.

#MorethanMalbec Luigi Bosca Lunch with Alberto Arizu

Last Wednesday we hosted a lunch with Alberto Arizu, past president of Wines of Argentina, and current reigning head of Luigi Bosca - frequently dubbed the 'Monarchs of Mendoza' since they've been there, running the winery through the family, since 1901. Alberto was also actively involved in the creation of the Lujan de Cuyo D.O.C, the first in Argentina. "It's not an appellation, it's a commitment" Alberto commented over lunch.

Argentina has successfully grown and profited from 'brand Malbec' over the past few years, but in 2015 it progresses into what many people see as phase two of the wine industry here.

Life through Jason's wine glass: Sud de France Languedoc-Roussillon trip January 2015

Last month Bancroft's Jason Busby headed down to the South of France for vinous explorations and all manner of interesting food. A foodie as much as a wino, here he reports on his findings, provides an insight into how we source our wine and what we look for as well as visiting a few of our current suppliers...

"the Langedoc-Rous is a hidden gem with great value wines that are over looked by the more well-known areas of Bordeaux and The Rhone."

"This was a well organised trip by the Sud de France team where approximately 150 wine buyers from around the world - America to China, Germany to Brazil congregated for the the Languedoc-Roussillon tasting of 1500 wines coupled with the Biologique festival both at the expo in Montpellier.

Bancroft Wines Annual Portfolio Tasting 2015

Bancroft's Claire and Johnny

Last week was our Annual Portfolio Tasting at the Westbury Hotel in Mayfair. This year was well attended as always by both visiting producers (36 of them!) and customers new and old. A great day full of quality wines and inspirational people all round.

In addition, this year we hosted a masterclass on Eastern Discoveries: Istria and Slovenia Uncorked, presented by Ivica Matosevic (president of the Croatian Winemakers Association) and Marjan Simcic which was very well recieved by all who attended. Both Ivica and Marjan brought their passions for what they do to life through the 45 minute seminar, offering those a who'd never tried wines from these regions a chance to taste them up close and personal with the winemakers themselves giving an introduction to the areas and terroir.

20 years at Bancroft... Sean's story.

King of our orders desk Sean Burbridge recently celebrated 20 year's service at Bancroft. Not bad for someone often mistaken for being only 20 years old himself... 

As we venture into Bancroft's own 25th birthday celebrations next year, here Sean tells us a little bit about his time here at Bancroft.

Sean, in a Michael Aspel stylie...

 "This is your 'Bancroft' life"

Bancroft Almuni Piers German, Sara from The French Table, Bancroft's Jason Busby, Sean Burbridge, Sean's first Boss and Bancroft Alumni Hector Scicluna

Do you remember your first day at Bancroft Wines?

The first day at Bancroft.....it was initially called H & H Fine Wines. The office was simply a hired front room in a large Georgian house in the very idyllic Cambridgeshire village of Kimbolton. There was one desk and a couple of wine racks in the middle of a living room. All the stock of unbroken cases was kept at the back of the property in a single garage. Although we did secure our first warehouse very soon after I started.

Initially, there were just the three of us, the two business owners and me. I was first employed as a general helper and delivery driver. I didn’t actually know the job was working for a wine company when I applied and I knew absolutely nothing about wine. In the interview I recall being asked about what style of wine I liked. I vividly remember answering.....“I like sweet styles of rose wine”....which I look back on now, with a serious cringe.

Wines of Rioja: Remirez and Altanza

Bancroft's Rob Allen and Elena from Bodegas Altanza

We recently took part in September's Wines of Rioja trade tasting at the Royal Horticultural Halls. In attendance with team Bancroft was Elena Sanchez from Bodegas Altanza and Luis Alberto Martinez from Remirez de Ganuza, who enjoyed extra exposure thanks to being selected as one of the wines used in Sarah Jane Evans MW's seminar on Guiding consumers through the Rioja classifications.

On show were the following wines:

Salta: Argentina's coolest winemaking region and a wine 'akin to getting a full-body massage through the mouth'

Yesterday we were part of two Argentine tastings, the first, a Wines of Argentina event held at the Houses of Parliament by the British-Argentine All-Party Parliamentary Group and the Argentine Embassy, followed by Sky High - a celebration of high altitude wines at altitude, and the highest wine tasting in the country! This was run in conjunction with Time Out Magazine and Gaucho, offering slightly drizzly views over a darkened city with hearty Malbec and Malbec blends being served to a group of fanatical steak and wine fans, keen for a memorable view.

The wines we showed at both tastings were from Salta, Argentina's highest winemaking region, standing at some substantial altitude above sea level. Our winery on show, Yachochuya, a satellite winery of The Rolland Collection and Michel Rolland himself, has the second highest vineyards in the whole country, standing at a magnificent 2035m. Up here there is more UV light so grapes ripen with more concentration of flavours through their generally thick (Malbec) skins. The wines produced in this region of the world offer a more restrained, elegant and concentrated style of wine in comparison to neighbouring Mendoza where flavours can often be more robust.

Bancroft's Rob and Michel Rolland's Maria ready to welcome the VIPs to taste in Parliament

Best Wine Pub 2014: congratulations One Bull

Congratulations are in order to The One Bull in Bury St Edmunds who was announced as Best Wine Pub in the Great British Pub Awards 2014. 

Bancroft is delighted to be the exclusive wine supplier to The One Bull and their group of three other pubs.

"We won the national Best Wine Pub award in the Great British Pub Awards 2014! The awards are organised by leading pub industry magazine, the Publican’s Morning Advertiser.