John Ratcliffe, the former head of Seagram UK and a driving force behind the once innovative specialist UK off licence chain, Oddbins, has been appointed CEO of Accolade Wines.

JF Hillebrand, leading logistics provider to the global beverage market, has clinched a five year worldwide freight services contract with Accolade Wines, the world’s fourth largest wine producer.

Troy Christensen, Accolade Wines' American CEO, is not a man encumbered with traditional values. Wine may traditionally come in 75cl bottles with a cork closure but what interests him is the move to pouches, bag-in-box and ready-to-serves (RTS).

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.

Accolade Wines has announced that it is to launch its leading Australian wine brand, Hardys into Ukraine.

UK: Accolade Wines has launched a range of Ready to Serve (RTS) drinks under the Hardys, Banrock Station and Stone’s brands.

Accolade has launched a new wine under the Hardys brand at ProWein, Germany.