Single estate wine distributor Winetraders is extending its presence in travel retail through collaborations with The Hayward Partnership, MTR Consulting, B&S and leading retailers such as Dubai Duty Free.
For more than 30 years, Winetrader Founder and Master of Wine Michael Palij has been instrumental in connecting artisan Italian winemakers with international markets. Through his Oxford-based company, he has introduced notable producers such as Inama, La Monacesca, and Ghiraldi, as well as grapes like Timorasso, Bellone, and Cesanese to the UK and beyond.
Now Palij is turning his expertise to the growing trend towards non-alcoholic beers, spirits and wines. He has identified a gap in the market for quality non-alcoholic wines, curating a range specifically for this growing sector.
The collection includes a Prosecco range from Anna Spinato and a variety of red and white classics, all at zero-alcohol level. A further range of non-alcoholic wines includes Chardonnay and Cabernet variants.
“What I discovered was that there was a huge demand for non-alcoholic products, yet the current offerings in this category were limited,” Palij said. “Most of the available options were entry-level, and there was a clear need for a more premium range. We have assembled a selection of products that we believe will meet this demand.”
Palij is a long-standing partner in The Hayward Partnership, a global team of independent industry experts that provide boutique consultancy and recruitment services for the travel, catering and retail industries.
With the support of MTR Consulting Managing Director Martin Mullen, Winetraders has grown its presence in the travel retail market. The company’s latest initiative is to introduce a list of non-alcoholic drinks tailored specifically for the emerging market in Saudi Arabia. This range will feature high-quality Prosecco, Chardonnay and Cabernet, aimed at satisfying the flavour profiles of this region.
| A Canadian by birth, Michael Palij emigrated to the UK in 1989. At the age of 29, he achieved the Master of Wine in 1995, becoming the 196th person globally to earn this qualification. Today, there are only 416 Masters of Wine worldwide. Palij’s passion for Italian wine began with his first visit to Italy in 1992, where he developed a deep appreciation for both the country and its wines.
Today, Winetraders UK boasts a distribution network spanning four continents and over a dozen countries, with wine estates in Italy, Spain, Germany, Peru and Australia. Palij is recognised as one of the foremost authorities on Italian wine. He contributes to the field through international publications with Dorling Kindersley and tastings for The World of Fine Wine and his clientele includes Berry Bros & Rudd, Fortnum & Mason, The Fat Duck, Majestic Wines and Waitrose. |
Collaborations focused on travel retail include a close partnership with Dutch consumer goods and travel retail powerhouse B&S.
B&S Head of MEA and APAC Duty Free & Travel Retail Paul Cooke said: “We are delighted to be working with Michael, as he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our portfolio of wines that we can provide for our duty free channels.
“We have seen great results from the initial listings at Dubai Duty Free and we will build on this for further great wines to be added to our collection that Michael has selected for us.”
Dubai Duty Free Senior Vice President of Purchasing Sharon Beecham commented: “Dubai Duty Free is always on the lookout for quality products to enhance our assortment. We’re happy to announce that Michael Palij, Master of Wine, has selected a range of exceptional wines for us to add to our collection.
“Michael is actively training our Dubai Duty Free retail team through Master Class workshops. This training is essential for deepening their understanding of the products, allowing them to effectively share this knowledge with our customers.” ✈️
