Walker & Wodehouse

In today's Autumn Budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves introduced a 1.7% duty reduction on draught alcohol but confirmed an alcohol duty increase on all other products in line with RPI starting February 2025, along with the end of the wine duty easement. Since these proposed changes to wine duty were first announced, we have worked to support our customers and producers, helping them to understand how the new duty bands will impact them as the February deadline nears. The means increased complexity and will particularly affect higher-ABV wines, raising concerns that ABV may overshadow quality.

Welcome to Walker & Wodehouse, Estevez Bodegas y Vinedos! In the heart of Bierzo, Galicia, Estevez Bodegas y Vinedos is a family-run winery known for their outstanding Mencia and Godella, as well as their single vineyard wines. After they were exiled to Mexico during the Spanish Civil War, the family returned to re-establish themselves in the region. Today, they have seven hectares of hillside planted vineyards with vines on average 90 years old. Many of their village wines are made in Crianza style, adding complexity to make them more gastronomic than many wines from this region. Talk to your account manager today to learn more about Estevez Bodegas.

We are delighted to offer a limited number of the highly sought after RocknRolla Pinot Noir, from our friends at Shannon Vineyards. This single vineyard Pinot Noir comes from the oldest plot on the cool climate Elgin Farm Estate, and features in Tim Atkin MW's 2024 South Africa Report with a score of 95 points. In the words of winemaker Gordon Newton Johnson, "It's a RocknRolla!" - a namesake which perfectly describes its consistency year on year. Talk to your account manager to learn request an allocation.

South Africa's wines are making a splash on the global stage: not only are they gaining popularity, but they're also commanding premium prices. Beyond just taste, South African wines resonate with consumers seeking authenticity and sustainability, with a third associating them with Fairtrade practices. And let's not forget the bubbles! South African Cap Classiques, their answer to Champagne, have tripled in value and doubled in volume since 2012, offering a world-class sparkling option. With a diverse range of grapes like Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinotage leading the charge, South Africa is a wine region definitely worth exploring.

Eden Valley, a cool-climate Riesling haven within Barossa, leverages altitude from the Barossa Ranges to craft exceptional styles. Rising star John Hughes, a Riesling fanatic, produces diverse Rieslings under his acclaimed "Rieslingfreak" label. Founded in 2009 as a passion project, Rieslingfreak sources grapes from various regions, allowing them to showcase Riesling's versatility through a range of styles. Their Eden Valley wines (numbers 4, 12 and 44) hail from four vineyards spread across the region, highlighting the unique terroir variations within Eden Valley itself.

Battle of Bosworth, nestled in the heart of McLaren Vale, champions sustainable practices. They utilise clever methods like Soursob flowers to combat weeds organically, fostering a healthy ecosystem for their vines. This dedication to organic viticulture translates into exceptional wines that truly reflect the region's unique terroir.

Barossa Valley, Australia's most famous wine region, is known for its hot climate and bold Shiraz. Peter and Magali of Spinifex source grapes from dedicated Barossa and Eden Valley growers, crafting balanced wines from traditional Mediterranean varieties like Shiraz, Mataro, and Grenache. As part of the Artisans of Barossa, they champion small-batch, sub-regional wines.

Despite its small vineyard area (matching Bordeaux & Burgundy combined!), Australia's vast size creates diverse climates and wines. A major player in globalisation, it boasts both established brands and exciting new producers offering a world of styles for every taste. “Australia is the world’s sixth-largest country, far larger than Europe, and it is this huge size that explains the diversity of wines produced here,” explains Emma Symington MW, Education Development Manager EMEA at Wine Australia. “Today, more than 130 different grape varieties are grown across 65 distinct wine regions, resulting in a huge range of wine styles - meaning there is something for everyone to enjoy. It is truly a continent of wine, and yet it is home to just 4% of global vineyard plantings." At Walker & Wodehouse, we are lucky enough to have a stellar range of Australian producers. Join us for a whirl-wind tour as we re-discover the best of Australia…

At Weingut Robert Weil, passion for Riesling runs deep. As Nicolas Langer, Export Manager at Robert Weil, says, "Rheingau is Riesling, and Riesling is Rheingau." Their commitment is evident not only in their 100% Riesling portfolio, but also in their approach. While their modern cellar boasts cutting-edge technology, they craft their dry Rieslings using the traditional Doppelstückfass, ensuring wines that are both expressive and age-worthy.

Four generations of passion flow through every bottle from Weingut Joh. Bapt. Schafer. Founded in 1900, this family-run winery in the charming village of Burg Layen crafts exceptional Rieslings that have garnered well-deserved recognition. Nestled along the Nahe River in one of Germany's hidden gems of a wine region, Joh. Bapt. Schäfer became a trailblazer in 2013. They were the first winery from the Nahe to be admitted to the prestigious Verband Deutscher Prädikatsweingüter (VDP) in over a decade, a testament to their commitment to quality.