Flint Wines acquires Domaine Direct

UK fine wine importer Flint Wines has purchased Burgundy specialist Domaine Direct.

Together, Flint Wines claims that it create what promises to be one of the most in-depth Burgundian lists in the UK. 

Hilary Gibbs established Domaine Direct back in 1981, working closely with brilliant growers and selling to top restaurants, shops and collectors. 

Flint Wines has enjoyed significant organic growth over the past three years, doubling turnover in that period to an expected £14M this year (July 1st 2019 to June 30th 2020). It sees this deal as an opportunity for more immediate expansion without losing its core identity. 

Burgundy Buyer, Jason Haynes supplied db with this comment on the deal:

“I had known Hilary since the early 1990s when, in my formative years in the wine trade, I used to buy wines from her for Le Pont de la Tour. She had great names on her list then and the list today is even more impressive. She enjoyed mutually respectful relationships with all her growers, many of whom she had worked with for almost forty years. With restaurants unable to open currently, we wondered if this was the right moment for such a daring purchase, but we didn’t wonder for too long!  It is such a great opportunity. We were already so privileged to work with the great growers that we do, and I am beyond excited about working with these new producers. For once I am relishing writing our new Trade List, which we hope to release in the autumn and which should read like an A-Z of top producers, providing a fitting legacy to Hilary’s great work. Last year we invested in people and a new IT system, so, strategically, it feels very much like the right time to be investing in such a venture, despite the damage caused by Covid-19. We can take inspiration from the past to build an exciting future.”