Recent reshuffling in the UK wine trade continues unabated, this time between New Generation Wines and Stokes Fine Wines.

The former acquired the UK business interests of Stokes today. This will result in a greater portfolio and account base for New Generation, allowing Stokes to concentrate on its international business. As part of this new agreement between the two companies, Stokes acquired a shareholding in New Generation. Stokes director Justin Liddle will now be spending his time between the boards of both companies, while managing director Tim Parkins will concentrate on growing the international business.

Liddle commented that the move ‘will create an enviable portfolio of high quality producers, offering our customers improved service and support’. This portfolio will include producers from the Stokes stable such as Waiheke Islands’ Man O’War Vineyards, Auntsfield Estate in Marlborough, Central Otago producer Chard Farm, and the Churchill’s range of Port and Douro wines.

Stokes’s small operation will continue to operate from its Andover base, while its UK stock and business will move to New Generation. ‘There are only three of us in Andover, so that will all remain as normal,’ said Liddle.

‘The combined customer base and portfolio reinforces our position in the key London on-trade and independent merchant sectors,’ said James Booth, managing director of New Generation Wines.

A tasting of the new combined portfolio will be held in The Red Room at Les Ambassadeurs Club in London on 15 September. For more information, email Justin Liddle.

News item from Imbibe.com, 01-09-2010