Berry Bros. & Rudd, Britain’s oldest fine wine and spirits merchant, and a supplier to the Royal Family, is now extending its distinguished legacy to the United States.
Berry Bros. & Rudd
While the broader U.S. wine market is in flux, Berry Bros. & Rudd is making a calculated bet that Washington, D.C. represents something different, a city where discerning drinkers are trading up, not down.
The centuries-old British wine merchant, which holds a Royal Warrant from King Charles III, opens its first American store today at 888 17th Street NW, bringing three centuries of expertise to a market that’s increasingly polarized between mass-market decline and luxury growth.
Quality Over Quantity
Yes, overall U.S. wine volumes dropped up to 5% in 2024, with some younger consumers moderating their drinking, according to IWSR data. But Berry Bros. & Rudd CEO Emma Fox sees a different narrative emerging: affluent wine lovers are investing more deliberately in quality over quantity.
American customers have always shown a strong appreciation for luxury British brands and true craftsmanship,” Fox said in a release. “We’re not interested in volume; we’re interested in collectors who want access to wines they simply can’t find elsewhere.”
Data supports this. According to the State of the US Wine Industry report from Silicon Valley Bank, the premium wine segment experienced an average revenue growth rate of 22%, which the authors describe as “much better than the full segment.”
Wine In Washington
The timing may actually be perfect. While overall consumption falters, luxury retail has thrived, with high-end consumers largely immune to inflation, according to reporting in The Washington Post.
Berry Bros. & Rudd is betting that Washington’s unique demographics, including a government workforce, international diplomats and a growing community of serious collectors, will create ideal conditions for a merchant known for rare Champagne, mature Bourgogne and collectible whiskies, which Berry Bros. & Rudd describes as unavailable through typical U.S. distribution channels.
The 888 17th Street NW Berry Bros. & Rudd flagship channels the merchant’s historic St. James’s Street home with a distinctly Washington twist.
Berry Bros. & Rudd
‘Having Fun While Enjoying Great Wines’
Jamie Ritchie, the company’s managing director of international & auctions, emphasizes the breadth of the offering: everything from “mature ready to drink wines” to younger vintages. While the Farragut Square store welcomes walk-ins six days a week, serious collectors can work with private client specialists online any time.
Ritchie says the focus is on “having fun while enjoying great wines and spirits” through an ambitious events calendar. Berry Bros. & Rudd isn’t just opening a store; it’s bringing its Rolodex. Upcoming events will feature winemakers and their families, relationships the company has nurtured for decades. Partnerships with American luxury brands are also expected.
New Location, Familiar Style
The 1,550-square-foot flagship wine store, designed to evoke the company’s historic St. James’s Street location, opens alongside a dedicated U.S. website. The location launches on November 4. It is open and welcomes customers Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm.
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