With over 15 years’ experience in the U.K. wine trade, including roles with Matthew Clark, Enotria and Waddesdon Wine Ltd, Stephen has extensive national on and off trade management experience.
Working as Commercial Director at Waddesdon Wine Ltd, for the last 8 years Stephen transformed this Rothschild owned business from a small private client operation to a mid-sized national agency house, engaging with producers that are best in class from around the world. Developing an approach that stepped away from the larger merchant, where producers can find themselves lost in the pages, a focused route to market approach allowed wines to shine in a smaller, tailored portfolio.
As well as bringing his commercial acumen, Stephen brings his specialist knowledge and passion for Burgundy, Bordeaux and Italy that shines through in our Portfolio.
With longstanding national relationships across the industry, Stephen will ensure that the wineries Vinicon work with find their perfect route-to-market. For the past 5 years Stephen has been an influential figure in the London Food & Beverage Manager’s Association which has develop strong ties with 4 and 5* Deluxe Central London Hotels and has unique national relationships within National On Trade Accounts, HORECA, National and London Wine Merchants, wholesalers and retail.
Elaine decided that wine was to be her career while studying something much more sensible at university. Having worked in a multitude of industry roles that include sales, marketing, wine development, category management, buying, national account management and market analysis, she currently moonlights as an educator at the highest level within the WSET, working with students completing the WSET Diploma. Elaine joins Stephen to drive the marketing of Vinicon and establishing the key national account sales. With an active interest in the dynamics of the U.K. wine market, she will help ensure that we find the right path to consumer for our portfolio of producers.
Like Stephen, 2020 gave Elaine the opportunity to consider the next chapter in her career and seized this opportunity to develop a truly niche agency business was a very easy decision to make.
Elaine’s area of specialism may be grounded in the market dynamics of wine, but she shares Stephen’s passion for Burgundy, and has a love of Rhône and Spain that will round out the Vinicon Portfolio over the coming months.
