London Festival of Wine Exhibitors

L’altre Vi is a dynamic, new young company importing an exclusive range of Catalan wines from some truly exciting small estates – white, red, rosé, sparkling, sweet… and orange. Come along to meet the passionate owners of this small and very personal company and to discover some truly original wines from their carefully chosen portfolio. These are artisan wines, many from biodynamic and organic estates.

Barwell & Jones was established in 1758, a wine agency with over 250 years of history. We represent wines from premium, family-owned producers from around the world that offer character, provenance and value. Our customers and wineries are at the heart of everything we do. Discover our wines from both famous, classic European producers, and from the cutting edge of global wine, from Brazil to New Zealand.

Bat & Bottle is an Italian Wine Merchant, importing directly from small artisan producers, and selling directly to the public from their Oakham warehouse, or of course online or by telephone. Established in 1994 by cricket-mad Ben Robson, they’d originally intended to sell cricket bats too (we’re not making this up), but instead have concentrated on their wine passion, adding a small range from sympatico producers in Spain and Portugal.

Bonfils Vins & Châteaux 1870 is a family wine company spanning six generations, one of the largest in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of France owning 20 domaines and châteaux covering the most famous appellations such as La Clape, Corbières, and Minervois. With over 1800 hectares of vines, Bonfils are a family of vine growers profoundly attached to the land, and committed to obtaining the best from their terroirs.

Caballo Loco is the original ‘icon wine’ from Chile, a top secret blend that took the fine wine world by storm, and whose name translates into English as ‘crazy horse’. Made by benchmark producer Valdivieso, Caballo Loco is now on its 15th release, but is now part of a premium range of Caballo Loco wines that includes the Grand Cru Apalta, Grand Cru Maipo and Grand Cru Sagrada Familia. Taste them all at the London Festival.

Cadman Fine Wines is an independent fine wine merchant founded in 2004 by Giles Cadman. They specialise in the world’s finest, most sought-after wines from great and historic vintages, but also real finds from smaller producers providing high quality at reasonable prices. Shipping worldwide and with no minimum order (yes, even a single bottle), there’s a treasure trove of great wines and sound advice on offer.

Le Cordon Bleu London is the leading global network of culinary arts and hospitality management institutes, with a rich heritage spanning over 120 years. The London institute offers a range of programmes in the fields of cuisine, pâtisserie, wine, nutrition and management. The wine programmes at Le Cordon Bleu London are among the most innovative and professional in the UK. Visit them at the festival to find out more.

Champagne Deutz is one of the oldest members of Champagne’s prestigious Grandes Marques. Based in the village of Aÿ, Deutz has been making distinctive champagnes marked by finesse, elegance and complexity since 1838. The house has upheld its traditions through five generations and owns a significant portion of its own vineyards, the wines being carefully aged in the chalk cellars deep beneath the village.

Fine Wine Partners is a must-visit stand for lovers of premium Australian wines. Comprising six iconic Australian brands: Petaluma, Croser, St Hallett, Knappstein, Stonier and Tatachilla, the six estates in the Fine Wine Partners portfolio represent a diverse range of wines styles from bone-dry Rieslings to full-blooded red blends, demonstrating the quality to be found across Australia’s terroirs.

Fonseca Port has over 200 years of history and fame as one of the leading names of the Douro Valley, critic Robert Parker stating ‘Fonseca is one of the great port lodges, producing the most exotic and most complex port.’ That is backed up by them being the only house to boast four 100-point wines. They are truly a ‘first growth’ Port house, as you will see when you taste their tawnies, Single Quinta and Vintage wines.

Ken Forrester Wines is also with us, representing the pinnacle of Chenin Blanc production, but more besides. Ken’s wines have received massive national and international acclaim with literally hundreds of awards and accolades, the picture perfect vineyards beneath the Helderberg Mountains are testimony to the quest for perfection and attention to detail that makes these truly benchmark wines.

FromVineyardsDirect is the brainchild of David Campbell, the man who invented and published the ‘Guide Hachette’, and Esme Johnstone, who founded Majestic Wine before buying Château de Sours in Bordeaux. They offer a range of delicious drinking wines, principally from France, Italy and Spain, imported direct from the growers and delivered to your door at the click of a mouse – at prices well below traditional merchants.

Go Brazil has specialised in importing and distributing the wines of Brazil since 2010 and is the only UK company to do so. Their portfolio showcases modern Brazilian wine-making, with a wide range of wine styles, producers and regions represented. Learn about Brazil’s 150-year history of wine-making, the heritage traced back to its  many Italian immigrants. The modern wine industry still retains a distinctly Italian feel.

Howard Park is one of the most respected names in Margaret River, Western Australia. The Burch family planted their first vineyards in 1986, and have gone on to scoop scores of awards for their subtley-craftd wines. They added a second label of very popular wines called ‘Madfish’, and then in an intriguing move, a joint venture with Burgundian winemaker and biodynamic ambassador Pascal Marchand, with Marchand-Burch wines.

Majestic Wines has over 200 stores across the UK, including three in Glasgow. From great value wines for everyday drinking to great vintages for laying down, Majestic is here to help. Each store stocks around 800 wines and there are always wines open to try. All stores run free, monthly wine events. For more info, see taste-and-explore. Free delivery on any 6 bottles, 7 days a week, across mainland UK.

North South Wines may not be a familiar name on the high street, but they are one of the UK’s leading importers and distributors of fine wine, and part owned by some of the world’s greatest wine producers. For the Festival, North South are focusing on three superb producers: Australian superstars of the Yarra Valley, de Bortoli, and two brilliant and very different estates from South Africa, KWV and Seven Springs.

Organic Wine Club has tasted 3,000 organic wines and has hand-picked 150 of them, including certified organic, biodynamic, vegan and no added sulphite wines, from quality producers around the globe. Whether at their Surrey premises, by phone or online using their chat facility, the club will give you highly personal advice to track down the right wines for you – which you can also do on their stand at the Festival of course!

Quinta do Noval is “A magical place, an historic place. A piece of the earth capable of producing wines that are among the world’s greatest,” says Managing Director Christian Seely. Founded in 1715, Noval’s Ports are renowned globally as some of the world’s finest examples, respected equally for its Tawny and Vintage styles, and famed worldwide for its ‘Nacional’ Vintage, produced in tiny quantities from ungrafted indigenous vines.

Nyetimber has held a single aim for over 25 years: to make sparkling wine to rival the very best in the world, including Champagne. A true pioneer, Nyetimber was the first producer of English sparkling wine to exclusively grow Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay. Made from 100% estate-grown grapes, it is regarded as England’s finest sparkling wine. Owner Eric Heerema and winemaker Cherie Spriggs are committed to exceptional quality.

Piper-Heidsieck was founded in 1785 by Florens-Louis Heidsieck, his mission to create “a wine that smiles.” It’s first ‘celebrity ambassador’ was none other than Marie Antoinette, but Piper-Heidsieck’s story is of an uncompromising approach to quality. Legendary Cellarmaster Régis Camus built a formidable stock of reserve wines, with non-vintage cuvées composed of 10 harvests or more. Taste the range on the Piper-Heidsieck stand.

Portuguese Vinhos imports the finest wines from Portugal supplied by independent vineyards and exclusive to Portuguese Vinhos. From one of the world’s most exciting wine countries, with a wealth of indigenous grape varieties and wine styles, Portuguese Vinhos seeks out the best wines of small, family-run estates. Pop along to their stand at the Festival to hear the stories and taste some fabulous wines.

Plumpton College is the UK’s centre of excellence in education, training and research in wine business and production. Set in the heart of South East England’s wine production industry with its own 10 hectares of vineyard, taste their prize-winning English wines including Bacchus, Dean Sparkling and Dean Blush, but, more importantly, it’s a chance to discuss how to turn a love of wine into a successful career.

Ramos Pinto traces its roots back to 1880 when Adriano Ramos Pinto established his Douro Valley operation, the company quickly earned a global reputation for the quality of both its Port and table wines. In 1990, Ramos Pinto became part of the Roederer Group, further expanding their international dimension. Ramos Pinto only produces wines with grapes from its own estates, and is a must-visit stand at the Festival.

Richmond Wine Agencies is a division of Ellis of Richmond, founded in 1822 and today still sourcing exclusive quality wines from around the world. Long standing relationships with some of the world’s best wine estates are built on loyalty, integrity and respect, but the dedicated buying team is always on the look out for new and innovative wines, so you will have plenty to discover when you visit their stand.

Rude Wines takes a refreshingly different approach, bringing quality, value and confidence direct to your door. They source a range of outstanding wines, many of which are exclusive to them, and offer a full money back guarantee if you are unhappy with any purchase. And the Rude Wines name? “Don’t keep a stiff upper lip when offered mediocre wines: stay polite and you’ll be drinking rubbish for the rest of your life!”

Santa Rita Estates offers Festival attendees five for the price of one as its portfolio includes four wine brands from Chile: Santa Rita, Carmen, Nativa and Terra Andina, along with Doña Paula from Argentina. The team of winemakers and viticulturalists working for Santa Rita Estates is dedicated to producing quality wines from a diverse range of terroirs offered by Chile and Argentina, with sustainability at the heart of the operation.

Slurp has two stores in Banbury and Leamington Spa, but it is online that they have carved their reputation for excellent service and keen prices on so many award-winning – and often exclusive – wines. With free next day delivery to mainland Britain for all orders over £100, Slurp is leading the online way. Add friendly, personalised service, with over 900 wines ranging from £6 to £300, and you have the ideal wine retailer for your needs.

Tilley’s Wines was founded in 1985, an independent, family business led by Ivor Tilley and his daughter Annabelle. Today, Tilley’s Wines is recognised as a leading importer of characterful wines from Australia, but also specialise in wines from small, independent winemakers from Italy, France and Spain. You will never find Tilley’s wines on the shelves of high-street chains or supermarkets, and almost are exclusive in the UK.

Vinifera is about wine, but also gourmet foods and places of exceptional quality. We offer something for everyone, whether you are new to wine or very experienced. Food and the social aspect of wine are reflected on everything we do, and as well as being part of a community of wine lovers, Club members  can purchase cases of wine of exceptional quality, host their own wine parties and travel to fascinating wine regions.

The Vino Beano is the new ‘go-to’ merchant for wine enthusiasts looking to purchase high quality, affordable, lovingly produced and carefully selected wines. With The Vino Beano you will also have access to the stories behind these artisan growers – how they produce, take care of and live their wines. Staying away from mainstream brands, The Vino Beano specialises in finding undiscovered wines exclusively to the UK market.

Walkabout Wines brings Wines with Altitude to the UK. The Southern Highlands of Australia is their focus, halfway between Sydney and Canberra and though still relatively unknown, source of superb ‘Cool Climate’ gems. Though holding regular tastings at the Fulham Wine Cellar, their online store sells directly from their boutique range spanning Pinot Noir to Barbera and Riesling to Sparkling Blanc de Blancs. Another not to be missed.

Waterford Estate is one of the star names of Stellenbosch, South Africa, family-owned and developed under the watchful eye of Kevin Arnold, Cellar Master and Managing Partner. Founded in 1998, no expense has been spared to create a great South African estate – and it’s working! Their Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 has just been voted in South Africa’s Top 10 – though that’s the fourth year out of five years running that it has been!

When in Rome will make you forget everything you know (or think you know) about box wine. Their great-tasting wine is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. Made by small, independent producers – this is craft wine at its finest, sold in 2.25 and 5-litre boxes – for a far better price than you’d normally pay. The wines are selected by wine experts Andrea and Lorenzo, who own two wine stores in Milan. Enjoy the dolce vita!

Wines of Hungary work with producers to bring a range of wines to the UK market that are not otherwise available. These are wines with a real sense of place, made from indigenous varieties, and spanning not just Tokaji, but a whole array of white and red, dry and sweet styles, from across Hungary. Their London-based team of Masters of Wine ensure the wines are top quality and will appeal to the UK palate.

The Wine Society was established as a ‘co-operative company’ to buy quality wines and sell them to members. We continue to be owned by our members, providing the highest possible quality at the best possible prices. Our buyers travel thousands of miles each year, our non-profit-maximising model meaning their brief is to buy only wines which they are enthusiastic about, from producers who share our passion.

Wiston Estate is one England’s leading producers of sparkling wine, managed by the Goring family since 1743 on the chalky slopes of the South Downs. Planted with Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier in 2006, winemaker Dermot Sugrue, formerly of Nyetimber, is leading a crack team and producing superb wines. Tom Cannavan has awarded some of his highest scores for English wines to both their Brut and Rosé.

Zanotto is an artisan producer, the passion of Ricardo Zanotto. Ricardo produces sparkling wines “Col Fondo” (with secondary fermentation on the lees in bottle), still wines and Prosecco. He says “It wouldn’t have been enough to settle for any territory or entrust modern methods. It was necessary to discover the right combination of grape, soil, technique, tradition and timings… It was more like being a tailor than a farmer.”