With 16 venues across London and Manchester, Drake & Morgan operates at a very different scale to an independent fine-dining restaurant. Yet for operations director Louise Carreras Cortes, the fundamentals of a successful wine partnership remain the same.
Founded in 2008, the group is known for design-led spaces, seasonal menus and a broad, all-day audience. Wine plays a central role in shaping those guest experiences, and the challenge is ensuring the offer remains current, approachable and commercially sound across multiple sites.
Drake & Morgan and Jeroboams Trade work closely together to make sure its list has the styles and price points to work through the seasons
For spring and summer, Drake & Morgan identified an opportunity to evolve how guests engage with wine, introducing 500ml carafes to encourage sharing and respond to growing demand for lighter, fresher styles.
“Jeroboams sourced a Vinho Verde from Adega de Monção that fitted the brief perfectly,” says Cortes. “It was light, spritzy and worked beautifully with our food.”
That ability to respond quickly to changing guest behaviour is one of the reasons the group values its relationship with Jeroboams. According to director of sales, Lucie Parker, scale does not have to come at the expense of flexibility.
“Our role is to combine the logistics, buying power and portfolio depth of a national business with the responsiveness of an independent partner,” she explains. “It’s about staying close to the operation and evolving the offer together.”
Different tiers and styles
“There’s always something new and high quality to keep the list feeling alive," says Drake & Morgan's Louise Carreras Cortes about Jeroboams' range
As the list developed, Jeroboams continued to support Drake & Morgan with wines across different price tiers and styles.
A fresh Vermentino broadened the summer white selection, while richer wines such as a Montepulciano d’Abruzzo from Piandimare and a Châteauneuf-du-Pape from Château Fargueirol were introduced for Autumn Winter.
“When we’re sourcing wines for the mid to top end of the list, Jeroboams’ portfolio really comes into its own,” says Cortes. “There’s always something new and high quality to keep the list feeling alive.”
The group was also drawn to Jeroboams’ independent ownership and producer-focused approach.
“They champion family-owned producers who work sustainably and make well-crafted wines,” she adds. “That aligns strongly with our values.”
At the more commercial end of the list, Jeroboams delivers dependable classics that perform consistently across sites. Wines such as La Chiara’s Gavi di Gavi provide reassurance for guests while still meeting quality expectations.
Strong collaboration
"Jeroboams takes the time to understand our business and our guests," says Drake & Morgan's Louise Carreras Cortes
Beyond sourcing, the partnership is defined by collaboration. Wine lists are refreshed twice a year, with open conversations around performance and a willingness to adapt quickly when needed.
“We don’t see Jeroboams as just a supplier,” explains Cortes. “They’re a partner. We work closely throughout the year, reviewing what’s working and planning ahead.”
Staff engagement is central to that process. Jeroboams supports the group with tastings, training and WSET education, helping teams feel confident talking about wine in a way that feels natural and inclusive.
“The training really shows on the floor,” she says. “Our teams are more confident, more engaged and better able to bring the wines to life for guests.”
For Parker, that emphasis on people is key to building sustainable trade relationships.
“Wine only works when the teams believe in it,” she says. “Supporting staff through training and storytelling is just as important as supplying the right bottles.”
The result is a wine offer that balances premium aspiration with approachability, underpinned by a partnership built on trust and shared purpose.
As Cortes concludes: “Jeroboams takes the time to understand our business and our guests. Together, we’ve created a wine list that delivers quality, relevance and confidence across every venue.”
* You can find out more about Jeroboams Trade here.
* You can find out more about Drake & Morgan here.
* Jeroboams Trade is a commercial partner of The Buyer.
