The Connoisseurs:
Christopher Burr MW - Managing Director
With over 55 years of expertise in the wine sector, becoming a master of wine in 1995. Christopher been involved at a senior level in the spirit industry (as marketing manager in the UK for Bacardi Rum and Remy Martin Cognac) and brewing industry (as Marketing and Commercial Director of Bass Mitchells' and Butlers’ and also European Director of Bass Brewers).
Starting in the 1970’s in Bordeaux, living in Margaux and working for Alexis Lichine , he developed his knowledge of vineyard management, winemaking and the commerce of wine. He subsequently worked with many great producers importing marketing and selling their wines, such great Houses as Krug Champagne, Bollinger Champagne, Joseph Drouhin, De Vogué, Bonneau du Martray, Domaines Barons de Rothschild (Lafite), Chapoutier, Mondavi, Petaluma, Klein Constantia and Taylors and Fonseca Ports.
Before establishing his own advisory business he was the International Head and Director of Wine at Christies Auction House, and led many seminal tastings and sales of great collectables during the late 1990s.
With a fine eye and palate for quality wines, he’s been involved in the sale of over £100,000,000 of wine during his time so far.
Located on the grounds of Windsor Castle, with a view of Royalty and a vision to re-shape the current market, he has assembled a team of like minded Connoisseurs to help him bring forward a new platform, giving full control back to the wineries, offering a sales channel to both on and off trade, along with importantly helping to build a lasting brand in the UK.
With great connection to Bordeaux, Champagne, and working directly with The British-Serbian Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) to help bring Serbian wines to the UK market, Christopher has the ability and know how to help establish new wineries in the United Kingdom.
Andrew Steel - Sales Director
With over 45 years of experience in the Fine Wine and Spirits trade, Andrew is a specialist in buying and selling wines across the United Kingdom,
Having initially spent time working in the Champagne Vineyards and then in the Fortnum and Masons Wine department, Andrew spent 6 Years at Saccone and Speed Ltd in the Wine Division working in the Diplomatic sales office, the Fine Wine dept and then National wholesale sales dept.
This was followed by 6 years at JR Phillips, (a div of Allied and Whitbread) developing prestige awareness and sales for Champagne Lanson, Courvoisier Cognac and the Glenfiddich and Balvenie Malt whiskies. Prestige sales involved the expanding hospitality sector, hotel groups and top London restaurants.
A move to Mentzendorff and Co followed to develop national retail sales for the full prestigious portfolio - Bollinger Champagne, Taylors and Fonseca ports, Domaine Baron de Rothschild (Lafite) Bordeaux, M Chapoutier Rhone, J Drouhin Burgundy, R Mondavi California, Klein Constantia SA, and many more exclusive producers! For 8 years he was responsible for developing portfolio sales through the UK Grocery and special Retail sector. establishing Bollinger and Taylors as key lines in Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, Threshers, Victoria Wine and the Bass group. National sales had increased from £2m to £18m when he left as sales director in 1999.
A short spell gaining experience in the own label sector followed at Chalie Richards (part of the Halewood Group), developing O/L sales, including Champagne for Tesco and an Australian range for Direct wine..
He set up Connoisseur Estates in 2002.. it became a serious importer and brand development company with volume sales reaching over 750,000 cases PA as well a fine wine agency portfolio, supplying all sectors of the UK market including Carlsberg, Ocado, LWC.
He has joined this expert team at Connoisseur Vintners to lead the way in selling to both the On & Off Trade, and direct to Consumers, along with offering his expertise in developing the winery’s brand profile in the UK.
He has joined this expert team of Connoisseur’s to lead the way in selling to both the On & Off Trade, and direct to Consumers, along with offering his expertise in developing the winery’s brand profile in the UK.
Christopher Walkey - Marketing Director
With over 12 years in the wine sector, focused on innovation and entrepreneurialism, creating international brands in the wine industry. Having marketed hundreds of wineries across the UK, giving them national and international exposure, helping to connect them with UK consumers and trade, getting wines on radio and TV, in the hands of celebrities and politicians, from the Savoy to the Thames, Christopher’s focus is to save you time and money in getting your wines established and selling in the UK.
Christopher prides himself on not being ‘a wine expert’ but instead ‘a lover of wine’ seeing wine from the end consumer point of view, offering expert advice on the marketing and brand building, including label design, presentation, price point and more, all with the aim to make your wine desirable, marketable and sell-able in the UK market.
He was at the forefront of innovation, working to help break down the barriers of making sparkling wine more understandable and approachable for the average wine drinker, creating the leading sparkling wine news platform, international awards and annual London wine buyer / trade fairs & shows.
Having a specialty in Vintage Champagnes, Chris founded a free trading platform for Champagne enthusiast all across the world to connect, share tasting experiences and to buy, sell and trade Vintage Champagne.
Working to promote brands in the UK such as Louis Rodereder, Champagne Deutz, Ferrari Trento, Champagne Sanger, Villa Sandi and many more.
Christopher has joined this expert team of Connoisseur’s to lead the way in preparing your winery for the UK, and to establish your brand in the market by innovative, traditional and cleaver marketing.
Oliver Walkey - Executive Director
With over 10 years of experience in the wine sector, sharing a younger, innovative view on the industry, Oliver has focused on the promotion of hundreds of international wineries to the UK market, both online and in person. He’s built up a vast community of sommeliers across the UK, giving them a voice online and showcasing to them unique wines seeking representation and he has even created his own wine business connecting wineries directly with wine buyers, and he’s yet to reach a quarter of a century in age.
Oliver also has experience with the organisation and management of events, from private masterclasses up to national trade shows, working on one of the leading sparkling wine news and events platforms, Glass of Bubbly, promoting brands across the UK such as Ferrari Trento, Bolney Wine Estate, Champagne Roger Brun, Montelvini, Pere Ventura and many more.
Utelising his youthful years of expertise and business innovation, he is now working alongside three other highly experienced & regarded Connoisseurs in helping to bring wines directly to consumers & trade buyers and to establish each winery a lasting brand identity in the UK market.
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