You are expanding your Californian portfolio with some new producer partners - who have you brought in and why?
Since the turn of the year, we have introduced two new agencies: Elizabeth Spencer and Trois Noix. Both fabulous boutique producers making terrific wines that perfectly fit the DNA of our portfolio, whilst adding an extra dimension to our Californian range.
Jaime Araujo and founder of Trois Noix winery is one of the new additions to Top Selection's Californian range
Trois Noix is a B Corp, Napa Valley Green Certified winery sourcing from the finest biodynamic, organic, and sustainably farmed Napa vineyards. Elizabeth Spencer aims to become the leading boutique winery in Rutherford, whilst also developing a series of great value wines from outside Napa, in AVAs such as Mendocino.
What do you hope they can bring to your range that you did not have before?
A couple of new (to us) AVAs in Mendocino and Rutherford helping to make our range more geographically complete, thus giving potential clients every reason to see us as a serious Californian distributor.
What other Californian producers are you working with and what do they offer your customers?
We now represent 14 Californian brands offering comprehensive coverage regionally and across most price points. Our first entry into the world of Californian wines started in 2014 with Calera, and Josh Jensen, whose amazing Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs blew us away. It may have taken us a few more years but this initial collaboration led us directly to the Duckhorn Portfolio and their formidable range of premium yet commercial wines from a variety of different AVAs.
With our first shipment arriving three weeks before the first Covid lockdown, our first thoughts were that maybe the timing wasn’t exactly perfect. But we soon discovered quite the opposite, the demand for Duckhorn and its various other wineries was widespread and opened many doors.
Charles Krug was an important addition to Top Selection's Californian range
Next was Charles Krug, the oldest commercial winery in Napa, owned by the Mondavi family since 1946, with legendary wines that have barely been exported to the UK before. At lower price points we work closely with Precision Wine Co who provide great value for money wines, particularly their Prototype Lodi Zinfandel.
How do you see the overall Californian category in terms of the styles of wine now being made?
Lots of stylish wines abound, with many moving away from what you might see as the traditional Californian style – big juicy reds, bold oaky whites. Over the last 10-15 years there has been an increasing focus on balancing freshness with opulent fruit, a more judicious use of oak and working with what the vineyard gives you.
What are you finding is most in demand from sommeliers and leading wine merchants when it comes to California?
There’s no hiding from the fact that Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is always in demand as are Duckhorn’s fantastic Napa Valley Merlots, but increasingly, the wonderful Pinots and Chardonnays from Sonoma and the Central Coast sell well. They deliver a quality, diversity and drinking pleasure, that given the price and availability of Burgundy these days, compares very well.
Calera was one of the first Californian producers that Top Selection worked with
They are far from homogenous wines, like Burgundy the terroir shines through in the best examples. At the top of the tree, we represent Kosta Browne and Calera, two of the regions most revered and in demand producers, whilst from Anderson Valley, Goldeneye make wonderfully fresh and structured Pinot Noir.
Any price points that work particularly well?
People are not scared of paying serious money for top class Californian wines but, equally, others are very happy to see excellent value Zinfandel at under £20 on the shelf. In other words, they work at price points across the board.
Where does California sit in terms of the overall Top Selection range and what you are hoping to offer the trade?
In terms of size, it is now in line with Italy, with only France taking up more page space. Our aim is to curate a market leading portfolio of real breadth and diversity, that not only answers the traditional demand for Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon but shines a light on the best from across the state.
You also have your autumn tasting taking place in London on September 23 - what are you looking to show there?
Top Selection's Alastair Moss says it is pleased to be taking its autumn tasting to Manchester for the first time on October 1
We are showing over 150 wines from the portfolio selected for the autumn and run into the festive periods. Alongside this there will be eight producers attending, including La Fete Wine Co from Provence and Luscombe Drinks who are new partnerships for us.
Other notable winery attendees include: Alves de Sousa from Douro; Pares Balta from Penedes; Capannelle from Tuscany; and Mountfield Winery from East Sussex. Coravin will be there too, demonstrating its latest models.
Any particular highlights for people to look out for?
A Ron Del Barrilito Rum Bar, where we will have a mixologist sampling cocktail and serve ideas. RDB is a highly regarded premium artisanal rum brand from Puerto Rico and a new exclusive agency for us this year. The tasting will also include spotlights on large formats, grower Champagne and sweet and fortified categories. With some outstanding wines from Chateau de Fargues and Szepsy.
Will there be the chance to taste through the new Californian range there?
There will be 24 wines from the Californian range on show. This includes examples from Elizabeth Spencer, Trois Noix, Charles Krug, Calera, Kosta Browne and Duckhorn.
Who do you hope will attend?
Sommeliers, buyers from luxury hotels, regional wholesalers and independent retailers are our core audience. We are also going regional for the first time and holding a smaller version of this in Manchester on October 1 at the St James’s Club (from 10.30am) where we will have over 60 wines on show from our award-winning portfolio. Terenzi, a great family producer from Tuscany, will join us on the day..
What other developments and new initiatives have you introduced at Top Selection that you would like to promote and make buyers aware of?
2024 is a very busy year for Top Selection with a new growth strategy in place and many exciting developments in the pipeline. First and foremost, we have grown our regional sales team to better serve and grow our customer base across the UK, particularly in the North West and South West.
Another notable development is The Coravin World Wine Tour. We are proud to be the UK partner for this premium on-trade programme, which ran for the first time in May 2024 at four fine-dining restaurants: Moor Hall, Chewton Glen, City Social and Medlar.
The promotion will continue quarterly, each time at new venues, enabling participating restaurants to offer their customers a selection of fine/iconic wines at very accessible ‘by the glass’ pricing.
We are also very pleased to have become full members ofThe Dirty Dozen for 2025, having been associate exhibitors in previous years.
How do you see the overall market in terms of demand - where are the big opportunities?
The Duckhorn portoflio will be available to taste at Top Selection's autumn tastings
For Top Selection there is undoubtedly untapped regional growth potential, particularly in the South West and North West, where our portfolio aligns brilliantly with the vibrant foodie and hospitality scenes found there, and where until recently our footprint has been relatively small.
In terms of our California range, we are in a good place to capitalise on a steadily growing appetite from sommeliers and independent retailers to expand their listings.
What are the biggest challenges?
All sectors of the market and supply chain are currently facing the same well documented challenges to varying degrees. You could summarise them as the three Cs: Costs; Climate; and Confidence.
Like many, we have taken action to mitigate these challenges by working closely with our suppliers and customers. However, it certainly is not all doom and gloom, we see growth opportunities in both premium on-trade and independent retail. Our focus is ensuring the portfolio and supply chain is optimised to meet our customers’ needs and to continually provide a compelling proposition for doing business with Top Selection.
- Find out more about Top Selection at its website here.
- Its September tastings take place in London on September 23 at IET Savoy Place, London. 10.00am to 5pm. Click here to register.
- Its Manchester tasting takes place on October 1 at St James’s Club, 45 Spring Gardens, Manchester M2 2BG from 10.30am. Click here to register.
- Top Selection is a new commercial partner for The Buyer.
