The Conversion Group invests in Académie du Vin Library
The Conversion Group is pleased to announce a major investment in the Académie du Vin Library, a newly launched publishing house specialising in wine writing of the past, present and future.
The Académie du Vin Library derives its name from Steven Spurrier’s Académie du Vin wine appreciation courses – first established in Paris in the early 1970s – but is an entirely new venture co-founded by Steven and by Simon McMurtrie (former publisher at Mitchell Beazley and ex-CEO of Laithwaites Wine).
Launched at Vintners’ Hall, London, in April, the Library publishes new editions of classic works alongside a range of new titles. The first two titles are Michael Broadbent’s seminal Wine Tasting– first published in 1968 – and Fiona Morrison MW’s 10 Great Wine Families, which was launched in London in July. Coming later this year is a lively new book on Sherryby Ben Howkins, a lavishly illustrated book on the iconic Chateau Musarand In Vino Veritas– a Christmas compendium of fine wine writing past and present.
“Our intention is not to compete with the heavyweight, fact-filled volumes produced by mainstream publishers, but to provide the colour, the background and the personal stories that collectively serve to enhance the reader’s appreciation of fine wine,” said McMurtrie, chairman and publisher of the Académie du Vin Library.
“In addition, we are building a community of like-minded readers through our Académie du Vin Library Membership scheme, which offers book discounts, invitations to prestigious events and exclusive online content from our worldwide network of contributors supported by extensive social media activity,” he said.
The Conversion Group is a global portfolio of some 30 companies spanning the creative industries, fine wines and spirits (including the IWSC and Club Oenologique), food and beverage, media and events, and the arts.
“We are delighted to be making this major investment in the Académie du Vin Library,” said Allen Gibbons, CEO of The Conversion Group.
“We see Fine Wines and Spirits as a key area of growth for the business, and publishing is another vital area of the company following the launch of our new wine, spirits and lifestyle magazine Club Oenologique last year, so the Académie du Vin Library was a perfect fit for our portfolio, and we’re delighted to be working alongside such legendary names in the industry and such a great management team.”