Berry Bros. & Rudd crosses the Atlantic with US launch
Berry Bros. & Rudd has unveiled its long-awaited US debut, opening a flagship Washington DC store, a dedicated US website and a private client service. The move marks a bold new era for Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant as it brings centuries of expertise to American soil.
Britain’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant and supplier to the Royal Family has announced its official launch in the United States. After 327 years of trading from St James’s, London, the heritage merchant has opened a new retail space in Washington DC’s Farragut Square, at 888 17th Street NW.
As per the company, the flagship store blends “British heritage with a contemporary, new DC aesthetic,” positioning itself as a must-visit destination for collectors and enthusiasts alike. A dedicated website, us.bbr.com, will accompany the store’s opening, offering American customers access to the full range of wines, spirits and collectables that have defined the brand for more than three centuries.
The launch marks a significant milestone in the company’s global growth strategy, as reported by the drinks business, following its earlier announcement that it would expand its presence in Asia under the leadership of former Sotheby’s executive Jamie Ritchie.
Earlier this year db‘s Richard Woodward sat down with Ritchie for an exclusive interview to discuss the US venture and the fine wine market more broadly.
A “personal and expert” approach for US collectors
Berry Bros. & Rudd’s expansion includes the introduction of its private client service to the US market for the first time. According to the merchant, American clients will have access to a team of in-market fine wine specialists providing bespoke consultations, tastings and cellar-building advice.
Jamie Ritchie, managing director of international and auctions, said: “We are excited to be opening Berry Bros. & Rudd in the United States, beginning in Washington, DC, a city with a vibrant wine and spirits culture and a thriving gastronomic scene. We look forward to sharing our trusted expertise, personalised service and British heritage with audiences across the US, and to building lasting relationships with new clients.”
He added that the merchant aims to “create an environment where buying and drinking fine wine and spirits is enjoyable, social and fun,” promising a series of events to engage “a new generation of collectors and enthusiasts.”
Heritage meets innovation
Emma Fox, chief executive officer at Berry Bros. & Rudd, described the move as “an exciting new chapter” for the 327-year-old business. “American customers have always shown a strong appreciation for luxury British brands and true craftsmanship, and the Berry Bros. & Rudd name embodies both,” she said.
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Fox added: “As a company that has continually evolved over three centuries to reflect new tastes and markets, we’re thrilled to finally bring our expertise to the US, offering audiences fresh and engaging ways to enjoy and experience exceptional wine and spirits.”
According to Fox, the Washington launch reflects the company’s long-standing ties with the United States. Earlier this year she told the drinks business that “our relationship with the US stretches back over 100 years, initially driven by the success of Cutty Sark but more recently across both wines and spirits.”
House of 1698
To mark its US debut, Berry Bros. & Rudd will unveil House of 1698, an invitation-only salon celebrating the company’s history, culture and passion for wine. Hosted in an immersive townhouse setting in Washington DC, guests will enjoy a curated selection of fine wines and spirits while exploring stories that trace the merchant’s evolution from a St James’s coffee shop in 1698 to a global purveyor of fine wine.
Over the coming months, the company will host further curated events, bringing together celebrated producers, emerging winemakers and US lifestyle brands. The aim, according to the merchant, is to make fine wine “approachable, engaging and exciting.”
A measured expansion in uncertain times
As reported by the drinks business, the Washington opening comes during a period of strategic transformation for the family-owned merchant. In June, the company appointed Ritchie to oversee international operations and its growing auction division, just months after a round of staff reductions linked to “challenging market conditions.”
Despite headwinds in the UK market, Berry Bros. & Rudd remains committed to global expansion. Fox has described the US as “a huge growth opportunity” and Washington as “a natural gateway” for reaching new audiences.
From Pall Mall to Pennsylvania Avenue
Founded in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd’s original home at No.3 St James’s Street in London still serves as its global headquarters. The merchant’s seal, once stamped on ledgers for clients as varied as George III and Napoleon, now extends across Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
Now, with its new American flagship, the company plants its first flag across the Atlantic. In a city of diplomats and dealmakers, the House of Berry begins a new chapter.
