By Oliver Catchpole
Published: 03 September, 2026
Winetraders has announced the addition of ten new artisan Italian estates to its portfolio, as it nears its thirtieth year in the industry.
Well-regarded organic producer Gini leads the portfolio expansion. Winetraders will build the nearly 400-year-old estate’s presence in the UK through its range of Soaves – it was the first producer to bottle a single-vineyard wine from the region.
It is joined by nine other producers, including Canoso – a new Soave estate; Frasca – from the emerging DOCG of Nizza in Piemonte; Bricco Ciarla – Winetraders’ first Barbaresco; La Viola – based in Romagna; Contrada Salandra – from the Campi Flegrei; Montonale – Winetraders’ second Lugana estate; and Villa Bogdano – a producer of Lison Classico DOCG.
The final two estates are Baccaro – where the ex-winemaker of Bibi Graetz produces ancient Verdeca in Puglia; and Tiziano Bellini – which makes rare Ancellotta and Grupello Ruberti in Mantova.
Commenting on the expansion, Michael Palij MW, founder and chair of Winetraders, explained: “After almost thirty years in this trade, we’ve grown used to change – and we’ve learned to welcome the challenges that come with it. Every downturn tests who really believes in what they’re selling.
“These ten estates are proof that we’re staying true to what has always set Winetraders apart: backing artisan producers, the men and women with dirt under their fingernails, who can’t afford a marketing department.”
The importer and distributor said that the wines from the new producers mostly fall into the “all important” £15-£30 bracket, a space that is benefiting from the ongoing premiumisation in the UK wine trade.
As overall volumes of wine sales have continued to decline, a ‘less-but-better’ consumption trend has frequently been reported across multiple categories, including both wine and spirits.
Consumers appear to be spending up across the world, with insights body the IWSR recently forecasting around a 6% growth in premium-plus servings between 2025 and 2035 in 16 key developed markets (including the UK, US, Germany, France and Japan).
Even more significant (13%) premium growth was expected in developing markets such as India, China, Mexico and Brazil.
The full range of Winetraders’ new wines will be showcased at its new lines tasting in London on September 28.
Founded in 1997 by Michael Palij MW, the importer specialises in sourcing artisan producers from the length and breadth of Italy.
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