Retail, B2B & Hospitality
Our journey
This is our journey
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Enotria is born
Remo Nardone officially incorporates Enotria Winecellars and the company is formally launched on 6 December 1972, and in 1978 Enotria introduces DOC wines in magnum and 70cl with screw cap to the UK for the first time.
Sowing seeds
Sheldon Graner launches Majestic Vintners, opening his first store in Harringay, North London and hiring Tony Mason to oversee its operations.
Key to Graner’s unique and differentiated approach are expert store staff and the opportunity for customers to try wines before buying — two fundamentals that remain focal points of the Majestic experience to this day.
Changing ownership
After a tumultuous few years following its strategic mis-step across the pond, Majestic finds itself under new ownership.
When Wizard Wine owner Bejam was purchased by Iceland in January 1989, Tony Mason joined forces with Tim How and John Apthorp — Bejam’s founder — to buy Wizard Wine. In September 1991, Wizard acquired Majestic in a leveraged buyout, creating the Wizard Wine Group and laying the foundations for national expansion under How’s leadership as CEO.
A Majestic Millennium
The turn of the new millennium signals a period of rapid multichannel expansion for Majestic. By the Spring of 2000, Majestic had moved into ecommerce, launching majestic.co.uk — a website that continues to go from strength to strength today.
French revolution
Majestic made its second foray outside of the UK, purchasing two Les Celliers De Calais stores in France. The acquisition was designed to capitalise on the ‘booze cruise’ trend of Brits crossing the Channel to purchase wines in bulk at duty-free prices. The two stores were a huge success for Majestic for more than a decade, until the UK’s exit from the EU in 2016 — and the resulting restrictions on the transportation of alcohol across the border — led to the closure of both shops in December 2021.
Celebrating a century
After a period of expansion, Majestic opens its 100th store, in Dorchester, in May 2002.
CEO Tim How says the business now has "good coverage of the UK", but says Majestic has the "potential for 150 stores" across the country as it continues to invest in growth.
Redefining wine
Majestic unveils its first-ever own-label wine ranges, including the Definition brand. Created to showcase the best examples of benchmark wine styles from around the world, Majestic’s Definition range continues to be one of the best-selling own-label wine brands in the UK.
Enhancing our on-trade proposition
Majestic launches its first selection of on-trade exclusive wines, signalling its intent to grow its reputation and market share as a distributor to the hospitality market.
Our first pour
Vagabond makes its debut in Fulham, launching its first location in September 2010. The first bottle the business ever sold was a petit château Bordeaux.
The concept began primarily as a shop, with an area for guests to drink in if they chose to do so – a part of the Vagabond proposition that would soon evolve, as the venue transformed into a proper neighbourhood wine bar.
Naked distraction
In a strategic move designed to grow its share of the online market, Majestic acquires Naked Wines for £70m in April 2015. Although the enlarged group grows revenues, new leadership prioritises investment into Naked’s digital proposition, leaving Majestic’s stores to suffer. It quickly becomes clear that new ownership and impetus will be required in order to restore the Majestic brand to its former glories.
Progress through the Pandemic
Amidst the Covid-19 crisis, Majestic displays its trademark agility, work ethic and passion for its products and customers, enjoying one of its most successful years ever.
With many businesses closing stores not just temporarily but permanently as consumer spending shifts online, Majestic continues on the bricks and mortar expansion trail. In November 2020, Majestic opens its 200th shop, in Henley-on-Thames.
Through the wilderness
Following the opening of new bars in Clapham and Canary Wharf, the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic drastically shifts Vagabond’s operations. Through periods of lockdown and social distancing, Vagabond switches to takeaway sales and online tastings.
Vagabond’s Second City
Following its success in London, Vagabond spreads its wings, opening its first bar outside of the Capital, in Birmingham. Located just a stone's throw from Birmingham New Street station, the venue comes complete with a real-life tree and its own secret vault, hosting wine tasting events and private hire bookings.
Grounded
Vagabond opens high-profile airport locations in Gatwick and Heathrow, aimed at putting the brand in front of a global audience. But the ambitious launches eventually prove to be a strategic misstep. The bars are expensive to run and operationally complex - in order to appeal to time-poor tourists, a different food and drink proposition was required to the one that had made its London bars so successful.
Commercial takes the crown
Majestic Commercial is named the On-Trade Supplier of the Year Drinks Business Awards 2024. It represents the first major national award that Majestic's on-trade specialist arm has ever picked up, reflecting its market-beating growth and unique service proposition.
Becoming the Majestic Wine Group
Majestic completed its second strategic acquisition in the space of just 12 months, purchasing the premium wines and spirits distributor, Enotria, in April 2025. The deal signalled the creation of the new Majestic Wine Group — the UK’s leading premium wine specialist across retail, wholesale and hospitality.
Battersea reborn
In February 2025, Vagabond unveils the results of its first major bricks and mortar investment under Majestic ownership, lifting the lid on an extensive refurbishment of its Battersea branch. The Urban Winery is removed, making space for 40 additional covers, with plans in place to open a new winery later in the year.
Enotria rebrands
Enotria&Coe rebrands to Enotria, in a strategic shift that signals a return to its heritage as a premium wine and spirits specialist. The change comes following extensive feedback from customers, suppliers and colleagues – all of whom identify “Enotria” as the name that best embodies the company’s reputation for quality, expertise and trusted partnerships.
Hitting the expansion trail
Vagabond opens its first new sites under Majestic Wine Group ownership in September and October 2025, launching in the home of the former First Dates restaurant, in St Paul’s, and in the new Broadgate development.
Dialling up our production
Following the successful launch of two new London bars in St Paul's and Liverpool Street, Vagabond opened the doors to the UK's largest Urban Winery in December 2025. Replacing the former Urban Winery in Battersea, the new site in Canada Water revolutionises Vagabond's winemaking capabilities, with capacity to produce up to 100,000 bottles every year.