Susana Balbo strengthens UK presence with Matthew Clark Bibendum partnership
Argentina’s first female winemaker has appointed Matthew Clark Bibendum as its new UK distribution partner as it looks to build on more than 26 years in the market.
Argentinian producer Susana Balbo has appointed Matthew Clark Bibendum (MCB) as its new UK distribution partner, with the move set to strengthen the winery’s position across both the on and off-trade.
The full Susana Balbo portfolio, including the Crios, Signature and Signature Limited Editions, BenMarco and Nosotros ranges, is now available to the UK on-trade through Matthew Clark Bibendum. The wines will also be distributed to the UK off-trade and independent merchants through Bibendum Off Trade and Walker & Wodehouse.
Founded in 1999 by Argentina’s first female winemaker, Susana Balbo, the family-run winery is based in the foothills of the Andes in Mendoza and has exported to the UK for more than 26 years. The producer said the new partnership supports its ambitions to strengthen its position in the UK, with a renewed focus on premiumisation and growth across multiple channels.
Balbo said: “We are very excited to begin this new chapter with Matthew Clark Bibendum. The UK holds a very special place in my heart, as it was the first market we exported to when I founded the winery. For more than 26 years, we have maintained a continuous presence there, and I am deeply grateful to UK consumers for their continued support and for choosing our wines to share with friends and loved ones.”
Shared ambitions
Susana Balbo employs a team of more than 100 people and produces wines using modern winemaking techniques while maintaining a focus on sustainable practices, intention and traceability. According to the companies, this aligns with MCB’s approach to building long-term partnerships that reflect changing customer and consumer demands.
Partner Content
Balbo is recognised for her work with blends, particularly white varieties such as Torrontés, producing wines designed to express terroir in a refined, modern style.
Simon Jerome, senior wine buyer at Matthew Clark Bibendum, said: “Susana and her family are producing some of the most exciting wines from Argentina, particularly those in the Susana Balbo Signature range, including the Barrel Fermented Torrontés, a grape variety championed for many years by Susana herself. These wines already have many supporters in the trade, and we look forward to converting many more to these fantastic wines. I’m delighted to welcome Susana Balbo to our portfolio.”
Expanding reach
The appointment follows the integration of Matthew Clark and Bibendum into a single route-to-market business in May 2026, bringing together Bibendum’s wine portfolio with Matthew Clark’s national distribution network.
Henry Currie, commercial director at Susana Balbo, said: “The winery has built a strong reputation and distribution footprint with leading premium on-trade and retail customers in the UK. Matthew Clark Bibendum’s national reach and expertise will be instrumental in growing our presence further and helping us share our premium story and award-winning wine portfolio with trade partners and consumers across the market.”
The range now available through Matthew Clark Bibendum includes wines from the Crios, Susana Balbo Signature, Susana Balbo Signature Limited Edition, BenMarco and Nosotros collections.
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