Vintage Roots launch new own-label range

Organic and biodynamic UK wine merchant Vintage Roots has a new own-label range of Sicilian wines called ‘Hoopoe’, named in honour of the brightly-coloured birds often seen in the organic vineyards of the Mediterranean. The bird features on the labels, which were designed by local artist Malcolm Buckland.

The range, which will be sold exclusively to the UK trade, features two whites and two reds from the IGT Terre Siciliane, all priced at £5.35 per bottle ex VAT. The wines feature varietal labelling with a Grillo, Pinot Grigio/Catarratto, Nero d’Avola and a Merlot.

Vintage Roots’ buyers Lance Pigott and Steve Lewis travelled to Italy and Sicily last year to explore the idea of adding another own-label range following the success of the largely New World ‘Touchstone’ range, which recently celebrated its tenth anniversary.

Company director Pigott said: "The quality and value coming out of Sicily in recent years has been one of the real success stories of European wine, and our customers have been wanting more and more from this dynamic region."

3 June 2013 - Felicity Murray