As many of you are aware Patriarche Wine Agencies was recently purchased by our Champagne House, CASTELNAU who are part of the successful co-operative CRVC.  This exciting development also led to everyone in our office being invited to meet our new owners in Reims!

Our Sales & Marketing Assistant Kate Roseveare makes us all jealous with her tales of adventure on her trip to Logan Wines in NSW, Australia last month and reveals the latest news direct from the winery. If you've not been to Mudgee or Orange before this is well worth a read!

Ever wondered what it's like in California wine country? Wondering whether to take a trip there to discover for yourself? Here's 1.25 minutes of uninterrupted California wine indulgence that's sure to get you booking your ticket. Don't forget if you do decide to go then make sure Hahn Family Wines in Monterey is a must-visit part of your itinerary - get in touch for more details!

As Bradley Wiggins looks set to make British history at this years Tour de France, there seems to be no stopping what is turning out to be a legendary summer of British sport. Thanks to Champagne de Castelnau who is the exclusive Champagne poured on the Tour de France our very own Keith Isaac was given road and air side seats to watch one of the etapes as the race unfolded.

In an increasingly competitive market place, producing great wine is no longer enough to secure the attention and loyalty of the worlds wine drinkers. Being able to visit, taste and often eat at a winery is essential to create lifetime ambassadors of your wine. The New World have been doing this for years and are established and accomplished at it but none more so than Logan in NSW, Australia who have just been crowned winner of Best Cellar Door Experience 2012 from Australian Gourmet Traveller magazine.

There’s been some pretty notable London International Wine Fair (LIWF) bashing going on over the last few months, some we agree with - it’s a real slog to get to Excel! - and some we don’t (like the Fair having lost its purpose). We travelled to Dussledorf this year and loved exploring the floors of the LIWF’s main rival, the gigantic Prowein, but at a time when interest, wineries and budgets appear to be dwindling in our domestic market we fell it's never been more important to get fully behind the LIWF.

I’m just back from a weekend in Beaune, a wonderful but freezing weekend of discovery that just so happened to coincide with the opportunity to cheer on Les Bleus (albeit fruitlessly) during the Rugby World Cup final! My trip was definitely more pleasure than work this time as I was lucky enough to be hosting our National Wine Month winners on a Patriarche VIP tour of Burgundy. It seems a long time ago now but it was the result of the competition we ran in conjunction with National Wine Month and The Daily Mail online back in May

If you’re anything like us and you’re a big Champagne fan then it’s difficult to celebrate without the Champagne touch … but how much do you know about exactly what’s hidden behind these delicate bubbles? Last week our General Manager, Keith Isaac MW, took three of our top London customers to Champagne De Castelnau’s cellars and vineyards in and around Reims, the heart of the Champagne region.

Wine is at the heart of everything we do so we're proud to support the inaugural National Wine Month this May by giving you the chance to win a trip to our cellars in Burgundy!

It’s the perfect opportunity for you to discover the hidden gems of this famous wine region whose wines are are admired by wine makers and wine enthusiasts worldwide.