Our Story

Past, present and future

The big idea behind Bibendum hasn't really changed since we were founded in 1982. We want to be the most dynamic, captivating and exciting company in the business, making wine as accessible and enjoyable as possible.

Bibendum since 1982

  • 1982

    Bibendum is born when a group of friends start selling a mixture of classed growths and unusual bottles to private clients. Those friends are still here.

  • 1985

    Michael Saunders opens our first trade account: Odettes, just up the road. We are still supplying them two decades on & today sell over 1.5m cases of wine to nearly 3000 On Trade customers, from Michelin star restaurants to independent pubs and international sporting venues.

  • 1989

    We appoint our first exclusive agencies. Many of those pioneers are still with us today and over 100 others from around the world have followed in their footsteps.

  • 1992

    The Off Trade team takes shape with the ground-breaking “Great with...

  • 1999

    The shop shuts its doors for the final time as our private client business heads into mail order and later online.

  • 2004

    We win Agency of the Year for the first time at the International Wine Challenge. This was the start of a run of great results including Drinks Company of the Year 07 & 08 in The Drinks Business Awards and the Best Value Merchant in the 09 Sommelier Wine Awards.

  • 2006

    The days of being a UK only wine company are over as we launch Bibendum Europe and Bibendum Spirits.

  • 2009

    Bibendum Times is launched as we make our first move into the world of social media. Originally conceived as a website to support our 2010 Annual Tasting, it is now ranked by Wikio as one of the UK’s most influential wine blogs.

  • 2010

    Our industry leading Vivid team see their environmental policies rewarded as we are named Green Company of the Year in The Drinks Business Green Awards and the IWC Corporate Social Responsibility Award.

  • 2011

    Bibendum hits the streets for the first time, as we launch liveried vans and the newly formed Wondering Wine Company use their vintage H Vans to bring amazing wine to sporting and cultural events across the country.

  • 2012

    Bibendum’s 30th Birthday celebrations start in style with a Birthday Party, complete with cakes, streamers and party hats, for our customers at our ‘Just Add Bibendum’ Annual Tasting.

Bibendum Today

Man in a T-shitrt saying 'Nunc est Bibenum'

Our approach

Today, Bibendum is the UK’s leading independent wine merchant selling to all sectors of the UK trade.

Our success is based not only on our stand-out wine range but also the way we work with our customers to form true partnerships. Our approach is tailored to the unique needs of each individual customer and focused on how we can improve their wine offering to ensure greater profits from the category within their business.

We believe the strength of our business lies in our people. Our unique approach and diverse skill set means that we have dedicated in-house teams working collaboratively to add value to your business. From a wealth of industry-leading market insights about your target demographics’ tastes and behaviour, to our innovative take on staff training, savvy marketing and super creative design department, we are committed to helping you engage with your customers and deliver tangible results to your bottom line.

Our philosophy is very much that the hard work starts, rather than finishes, when the bottles are delivered.

In August 2011, Bibendum MD Michael Saunders was interviewed by Chris Scott of ThirtyFifty for the UK Wine Show Podcast. Michael talks about Bibendum, its history and the big ideas behind the business.

Be a part of our future

At Bibendum, we are always looking forward to the next opportunity; tomorrow, next month, next year. The thinking cap never comes off and the challenges never cease.

There are currently just over 250 of us here at Bibendum but we are growing fast and always on the look out for motivated, creative individuals to join our team.

If you'd like to help write the next chapter of the Bibendum story and join the wine industry's most dynamic and exciting business, check out the Join the Team section of this site.