ABOUT US

Clarion Wines was founded in 2005 by Patrick Barran, Richard Berkley-Matthews and Ian Paveley.

Patrick joined the wine trade in 1987 and has worked with Grants of St James's, Bibendum and John Armit Wines.  He looks after corporate clients, particularly Oxford and Cambridge colleges, St James's clubs, Livery Companies and City firms as well as a large number of private buyers.  He also gives Digby a lift to the office each day.

Richard began his wine trade career with Laytons in 1991, staying for nearly 10 years before moving to John Armit Wines where he became a shareholder and where he met Patrick and Ian. Having established strong relationships with many producers, particularly in Burgundy, the Rhône Valley, Bordeaux and Tuscany, he looks after all the buying which is done from source.  He is also responsible for much of the day to day administration of the business, as well as looking after a number of private buyers.

Ian also joined the wine trade in 1991, working for the Conran Group, then Bibendum (where he met Patrick) and then John Armit Wines.  He looks after the larger proportion of our private buyers and collectors.  In addition, Ian runs the broking arm of the business and also manages the buying from other UK merchants of some of the very rare wines which are not available to us directly from their producers.  He is very well placed to give advice on the many aspects of Wine Investment and re-selling.

Digby joined the firm in 2011.  When not asleep, he particularly enjoys wet weather and chewing through computer cables.  He is, for obvious reasons, an admirer of the wines of Eugenio Bocchino which we sometimes carry.