Iain Muggoch re-joins Direct Wines

Iain Muggoch is re-joining Direct Wines in the newly created role as commercial director for the Laithwaite family owned and managed Bordeaux Estates, English Vineyards and RedHeads Studio Winery in South Australia.

Muggoch first joined Direct Wines in 1988 as a management trainee. During his time at the company he worked at the family owned Chateau La Clarière for two vintages. After leaving the company in 1994 he re-joins the team to oversee the production, development and sales/marketing plans for all private vineyard operations held by the Laithwaite family. He will be working in tandem with the established producers that currently support the business.

Speaking about the creation of the new role, Simon McMurtrie, global CEO comments: "We couldn't be more pleased to have Iain leading our private wine operations. The joy and craft of making wine has been at the heart of the company since its very beginning. Iain's hands-on experience, coupled with his skills in blending and buying give him unparalleled insight into both the established and emerging market opportunities. This will be invaluable for delivering the continued success of the wines created by us and our friends as well as continue to strengthen our core wine values."Iain Muggoch comments: "I first began working with the Laithwaite family in the late 80s when I was lucky enough to take a glimmer of interest in wine and develop it into sustainable career. Since then Tony has remained my mentor and continued to offer his support and guidance wherever I have been. Having started this journey at Ch La Clarière I feel like I am coming home."

The Laithwaite family own and manage vineyards around the world. In England they have vineyards in Theale, Wyfold, Marlow and Windsor, where their vineyard is part of the Royal Farms in Windsor Great Park.  Direct Wines is also the tenant farmer on the Royal Estate in Windsor Great Park. In Bordeaux the family owns three chateaux:  La Clarière, Dubois-Colombe and Verniotte. In Australia they set up RedHeads Studio Winery in McLaren Vale.

Muggoch joins Direct Wines from a three-year stint in South Africa and 15 years at Bibendum where he worked his way to the position of buying director and most recently was directly responsible for the Southern Hemisphere and North American portfolio.

Direct Wines is the world's largest independent wine merchant with a current turnover of £350m. The company employs approximately 1,000 people globally. Over a third of the company’s business is now international, with notable successes in the US and Australia. In the UK, the company is best known for its Laithwaite’s Wine business.

10 June 2013 - Felicity Murray