Accolade Wines has appointed Paul Schaafsma as its new chief executive officer, succeeding John Ratcliffe who will become deputy chairman.
Accolade Wines has annoucned that it has finalised the purchase of Mud House and Waipara Hills and their assets, from the Mud House Wine Group.
Accolade Wines has called for unity across the drinks trade in a bid to encourage the UK government to re-think the alcohol duty escalator. The company's WineNation 2012 report claimed tax is having “a crippling effect” across the industry.
What makes this job interesting is going out, meeting, interviewing people and finding out what makes them tick. That along with visiting vineyards, wineries, distilleries and, to a lesser extent, breweries to find out what they are up to, is what makes the likes of me get out of bed in the morning.
After 14 years with McGuigan Wines, Paul Schaafsma, Accolade Wines’ general manager for the UK, Ireland, Africa, Middle East and South America, is acquainting himself with the company and the clock is ticking on the 90 days he has to come up with a strategic plan.
The major Australian volume wine producer, Australian Vintage (AVL) has appointed Julian Dyer to general manager UK & Europe on a permanent basis.
La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.
