Great Western Wines founder explains sale decision

The founder of Great Western Wines has revealed why he sold his business to London importer Enotria.

In his first interview since the announcement, Philip Addis told decanter.com the acquisition was driven by a desire to expand and ‘to secure the long-term future of the business.’

He explained: ‘We have hit a peak where we couldn’t go any further without major investment. We have built a a good portfolio that should be taken to a wider audience.

‘We have had approaches from a number of different people but I love what I’m doing here and they have all been resisted. But if you are an entrepreneur with your own business at 58 you have to recognise that you can’t drive the ship forever.’

It is now clear that the retail and corporate gift arm of the merged companies will remain under the Great Western name while the on-trade and independent division will operate as Enotria.

Representatives from both Enotria and Great Western will start reviewing both companies’ wine lists from Thursday 19 August but Addis would not be drawn on delisting, claiming lists would expand.

Addis said all employees and suppliers have now been informed. However a Great Western Wine supplier told decanter.com ‘The only thing we know about the merger is what we have ready on decanter.com. They have not sent a letter out to us yet but we are not worried.’

Written by Rebecca Gibb