The Drinks Business

Robert Mondavi Winery to get major facelift in 2026 The Napa Valley producer is currently undergoing a "massive renovation" of its winery, with owner Constellation Brands investing as much as US$200 million into the revamp, db can reveal.

The Napa Valley producer is currently undergoing a “massive renovation” of its winery, with owner Constellation Brands investing as much as US$200 million into the revamp, db can reveal.

Majestic launches search for 150 new colleagues to deliver 'biggest-ever Christmas' The wine retailer has begun a major recruitment drive ahead of the festive season, seeking 150 new team members across its nationwide network of shops. The move comes as Majestic prepares to serve mor...

The wine retailer has begun a major recruitment drive ahead of the festive season, seeking 150 new team members across its nationwide network of shops. The move comes as Majestic prepares to serve more customers than ever before during its busiest trading period.

Look beyond the super-wealthy to succeed in the Middle East Breaking into Middle Eastern markets "isn't all about targeting the super-wealthy", Constellation Brands tells db. Wine companies mustn't forget there are consumers looking for "everyday value", too.

Breaking into Middle Eastern markets “isn’t all about targeting the super-wealthy”, Constellation Brands tells db. Wine companies mustn’t forget there are consumers looking for “everyday value”, too.

Asahi restarts brewing at its domestic breweries Japanese drinks giant Asahi has restarted operations at all six of its domestic breweries following suspension due to a cyber-attack last week.

Japanese drinks giant Asahi has restarted operations at all six of its domestic breweries following suspension due to a cyber-attack last week.

The Wine Society: The industry can't take 'huge amount more cost' The retail industry “can’t take a huge amount more cost”, the CEO of the Wine Society Steve Finlan has warned, ahead of the November budget.

The retail industry “can’t take a huge amount more cost”, the CEO of the Wine Society Steve Finlan has warned, ahead of the November budget.

The big interview: Rafael Calderón Rafael Calderón, managing director of Grupo Avinea, tells Sarah Neish about Argentina’s latest Geographical Indication – and why President Trump’s tariffs provide “a window of opportunity” for Argenti...

Rafael Calderón, managing director of Grupo Avinea, tells Sarah Neish about Argentina’s latest Geographical Indication – and why President Trump’s tariffs provide “a window of opportunity” for Argentine producers.

Churchill wangled a booze 'sick note' during Prohibition Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill obtained a doctor's note prescribing him alcohol "especially at mealtimes" during a trip to the US while Prohibition was in force.

Former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill obtained a doctor’s note prescribing him alcohol “especially at mealtimes” during a trip to the US while Prohibition was in force.

British man to plead guilty in $100 million US wine fraud case James Wellesley is set to admit to charges in New York over a fake fine wine investment scheme that duped investors out of nearly $100m.

James Wellesley is set to admit to charges in New York over a fake fine wine investment scheme that duped investors out of nearly $100 million.

Brown-Forman could bet on US$400m share buyback to restore investor faith Brown-Forman has unveiled plans to repurchase up to US$400m of its own shares over the next year in what it calls a sign of confidence in its long-term prospects. Analysts, however, are divided over w...

Brown-Forman has unveiled plans to repurchase up to US$400m of its own shares over the next year in what it calls a sign of confidence in its long-term prospects. Analysts, however, are divided over whether the move signals recovery or reflects desperation after a bruising year for the Bourbon maker

‘We’re planning for the next 30 years’: James Davis MW on Bolney’s two-year vineyard transformation Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex will begin a two-year project this autumn to grub up and replant its 30-year-old 18-acre vineyard. Speaking to db, James Davis MW said the move is “a very exciting evoluti...

Bolney Wine Estate in Sussex will begin a two-year project this autumn to grub up and replant its 30-year-old 18-acre vineyard. Speaking to db, James Davis MW said the move is “a very exciting evolution for Bolney” and “a strategic investment in both sustainability and relevance”.

Should we be serving premium wines by the glass? Ordering wine by the glass has shifted from a "cheapskate" move to one reflecting an enthusiasm to explore, according to Jancis Robinson MW.

Ordering wine by the glass has shifted from a “cheapskate” move to one reflecting an enthusiasm to explore, according to Jancis Robinson MW. So what has lifted the stigma? db reports.

Top 5 trends from the TFWA The 2025 TFWA Conference & Exhibition culminated this week, following four show days filled with meetings, networking and events. Here, db reveals some of the trends shaping global travel retail’s dri...

The 2025 TFWA Conference & Exhibition culminated this week, following four show days filled with meetings, networking and events. Here, db reveals some of the trends shaping global travel retail’s drinks landscape right now.

Frank Schindler appointed director of ProWein Düsseldorf ProWein has confirmed the appointment of Frank Schindler as its new director from 15 October 2025. The industry veteran will lead the Düsseldorf fair and its international editions.

ProWein has confirmed the appointment of Frank Schindler as its new director from 15 October 2025. The industry veteran will lead the Düsseldorf fair and its international editions.

Asahi 'handwriting orders' following devastating cyberhack Major Japanese retailers have warned customers of likely Asahi shortages after hackers hit the brewer's ordering and delivering system earlier this week. As a result, most of the Asahi Group's factori...

Major Japanese retailers have warned customers of likely Asahi shortages after hackers hit the brewer’s ordering and delivery system earlier this week. As a result, most of the Asahi Group’s factories have been at a standstill since Monday.

Ousted CFO in €4m legal spat with Moët Hennessy over NDA Moët Hennessy is locked in a legal battle with its former CFO Mark Stead, with the drinks firm accusing him of breaching a non-disclosure agreement by leaking secrets for an article about his partner’...

Moët Hennessy is locked in a legal battle with its former CFO Mark Stead, with the drinks firm accusing him of breaching a non-disclosure agreement by leaking secrets for an article about his partner’s sexual misconduct allegations.

Maison Ruinart appoints new cellar master Caroline Fiot will lead the winemaking team at Champagne Ruinart from January 2026, succeeding Frédéric Panaïotis, who died in a freediving accident earlier this year.

Caroline Fiot will lead the winemaking team at Champagne Ruinart from January 2026, succeeding Frédéric Panaïotis, who died in a freediving accident earlier this year.

Global Wine Masters team launches consumer masterclass series The team behind the Global Wine Masters is launching a new consumer masterclass series called What to Drink.

The Global Wine Masters team is launching a new consumer masterclass series called ‘What to Drink…’, starting with an event in London next month on Champagne.

From East London beginnings to shaping wines across the world, Jo Ahearne MW has built a career on curiosity, authenticity and a refusal to compromise. Today, she’s turning her attention to the exciting evolution of English and Welsh wine.

Catena Zapata names new UK importer Argentinian wine producer Bodega Catena Zapata has secured a deal with UK importer and distributor Enotria for Catena and Catena Zapata.

Argentinian wine producer Bodega Catena Zapata has secured a deal with UK importer and distributor Enotria for Catena and Catena Zapata. UK distribution was previously managed by Bibendum.

Fortress co-CEO dies aged 51 Josh Pack, the co-CEO and managing partner of Fortress Investment Group, which owns Majestic Wine, has died unexpectedly, at age 51.

Josh Pack, the co-CEO and managing partner of Fortress Investment Group, which owns Majestic Wine, has died unexpectedly, at age 51.

Asahi suffers cyber-attack Asahi is currently experiencing a "system failure" as a result of a cyber-attack impacting shipping and customer service operations in Japan.

Japanese brewer Asahi is currently experiencing a “system failure” as a result of a cyber-attack impacting shipping and customer service operations in Japan.

Vinexposium 'cannot afford to deliver a trade show that falls short' Vinexposium CEO Rodolphe Lameyse has told db a technical issue led to the cancellation of Vinexpo India, due to take place this week.

Vinexposium CEO Rodolphe Lameyse has told db that a technical issue led to the cancellation of Vinexpo India, originally set to take place this week.

The Wine Society beefs its fine wine strategy with new hire The Wine Society has appointed a new head of fine wine to head up its “bold new vision” ahead of it launching its Specialist Fine Wine Service in 2026, as part of a new fine wine focus.

The Wine Society has appointed a new head of fine wine to head up its “bold new vision” ahead of it launching its Specialist Fine Wine Service in 2026, as part of a new fine wine focus.

Greggs opens first-ever pub British high street bakery chain Greggs is gearing up to launch its first-ever pub, The Golden Flake Tavern, which will be open five months from Friday 27 September.

British high street bakery chain Greggs is gearing up to launch its first-ever pub, The Golden Flake Tavern, which will be open five months from Saturday 27 September.

Alcohol lobby pushes back as WHO hardens stance on drinking The World Health Organisation’s claim that there is no safe level of alcohol has triggered fierce resistance from the global drinks trade. Previously, physician and vintner Dr Laura Catena has challen...

The World Health Organisation’s claim that there is no safe level of alcohol has triggered fierce resistance from the global drinks trade.

The Pinnacle Guide: is it enough to be just a cocktail bar? The Pinnacle Guide has announced its fourth list of pinned bars, adding 61 venues to its round-up of the world's best cocktail bars.

The Pinnacle Guide has announced its fourth list of pinned bars, adding 61 venues to its round-up of the world’s best cocktail bars. Eloise Feilden asks co-founder Siobhan Payne what trends are emerging among the best of the best.

How ProWein is changing In March, ProWein will, once again, bring together the global drinks industry. db finds out how it has addressed the status quo to solidify its place as the wine and spirits sector’s “leading and impa...

In March, ProWein will, once again, bring together the global drinks industry. db finds out how it has addressed the status quo to solidify its place as the wine and spirits sector’s “leading and impactful” B2B show.

‘It’s us versus the red trouser brigade’ For WineFi founder Callum Woodcock, it’s about beating “the red trouser brigade” – with data being used to trump the human expert.

For Callum Woodcock, founder of fine wine investment syndicate WineFi, it’s all about beating ‘the red trouser brigade’, as he employs nothing more than market data to trump the traditional human expert.

Constellation Brands faces mounting pressure as beer dominance slips Constellation Brands is bracing for a pivotal earnings release as investors weigh sharp share price declines and weakening beer sales. Once a growth engine, its Mexican beer brands are now losing grou...

Constellation Brands is bracing for a pivotal earnings release as investors weigh sharp share price declines and weakening beer sales. Once a growth engine, its Mexican beer brands are now losing ground to rivals in an increasingly competitive US market.

Château de Pommard vows to 'make Burgundy affordable' in restaurants again Château de Pommard is introducing “affordable” Burgundy cuvées that can be sold in restaurants by the glass for around €15 to address the problem of young wine lovers drinking less Burgundy because th...

Château de Pommard is introducing “affordable” Burgundy cuvées that can be sold in restaurants by the glass for around €15 to address the problem of young wine lovers drinking less Burgundy because they cannot afford it.