Les Grands Chais de France hires former Kingsland wine controller for new UK role

France’s leading wine exporter has appointed a new UK wine director to boost the firm’s international business.

Nick Butler joins GCF from Kingsland Drinks.

Les Grands Chais de France (GCF) — which owns just under 40 properties across six key regions in France — has hired Nick Butler as UK wine director, a newly-created role which will allow the drinks maker to develop the business internationally.

Butler joins GCF from premium UK drinks producer Kingsland Drinks, where he was the firm’s wine controller for just under two years.

Australian-born Butler has more than 30 years of experience in the wine trade, having previously launched his own winery in Victoria, Ruthergen Estates — as well as working for UK producer Bottle Green.

“At a strategic level this new appointment demonstrates a very exciting next chapter in spearheading our new global goals, and we are delighted to welcome Nick on board,” said Mark Kears, managing director of GCF’s UK and Ireland operations.

“He brings a wealth of experience and an extensive network of industry contacts and his role will be highly complementary to our new international direction.”

Vanessa Mills, UK Winemaker Specialist France, remains the main wine contact for GCF portfolio, which is still the focus and core of the business.