Press release: Carte Blanche Wines Limited has appointed Joel Lauga as On Trade Sales Director

Carte Blanche Wines Limited

From: Ben Llewelyn, Managing Director
Date of appointment May 1st 2012
New strategic appointment for Carte Blanche Wines

Carte Blanche Wines Limited has appointed Joel Lauga as On Trade Sales Director.

Carte Blanche Wines Limited (CBW), the independent wine importer and wholesaler specialising in small artisan wine growers has appointed Joel Lauga to the new position of On Trade Sales Director. Joel’s appointment starts the next phase of CBW’s growth in the restaurant trade having focussed primarily on the independent wine merchant sector to date.

Ben Llewelyn, Managing Director said, “We are thrilled that Joel will be joining the team and this is a very exciting development for the future of the business. Joel has an enviable reputation in the trade and has a great understanding of what makes wine great, which is an immense compliment to our current producers.”

“As a company we have had a fascinating two years of development, including the purchasing of retail business Caviste in June 2011. Joel’s arrival means that we can really start to drive the CBW agency business in 2012 and beyond. These are exciting times!”

Joel, who spent his formative years in South West France among the vineyards of Jurançon started his working life at Gravetye Manor in West Sussex. After a few years spent working as a sommelier in many Country House hotels across England, ending up at Lucknam Park Hotel, he joined Bath Merchant Great Western Wine. Joel’s knowledge of wine producing regions helped GWW grow their portfolio as well as their on trade sales before the company merged with Enotria in August 2010.

Joel starts on 1st May 2012 and will be focusing on the HoReCa sector in London and the South of England and will become part of the buying team for the company.

CBW background
Carte Blanche Wines Ltd. is a wholesale wine agency and importer providing wines of quality, integrity and personality that will give our customers a point of difference in today's wine market.

Our aim is to source great value, terroir-focused wines from small to mediumsized
growers across the world and distribute them throughout the UK.

We love discovering new producers crafting distinctive wines and our portfolio is a work in progress. The point of Carte Blanche is not to restrict ourselves to one particular area or category of wine. Our mission is to create a well-honed selection of interesting wines that ultimately provide our customers with an attractive commercial proposition and something delicious to drink.

We love our wines, our producers and our work and we hope you do too.

Key agencies:
Patrick Piuze, Chablis; Domaine Cheveau, Pouilly-Fuissé; Ludovic Chanson,
Montlouis; Domaine de L’R, Chinon; J-F Mérieau, Touraine; Domaine de la
Graveirette, Châteauneuf du Pape; Mas de Restanques, Gigondas; Castell
d’Encus, Costers del Segre; Dominio do Bibei, Ribeira Sacra; Agricola Labastida,
Rioja; Forjas del Salnes, Rias Baixas; Buglioni, Valpolicella; Pietro Beconcini,
Chianti; Spinifex, Barossa; Alluviale; Hawkes Bay

For more information please contact:
Ben Llewelyn
ben@carteblanchewines.com
01256772233