Hallgarten & Novum Wines has taken on the exclusive UK distribution of Pfalz producer Weingut Müller-Catoir. The estate has previously been represented in the UK by Howard Ripley Wines.

Based in Haardt, Müller-Catoir dates back to 1744 and is now run by ninth-generation owner Philipp David Catoir. The estate farms organically and works with a number of leading vineyard sites, including Bürgergarten, producing what Hallgarten describes as precise, site-driven wines with a strong reputation for ageing.

Robert Mathias MW, Hallgarten’s buying director, said: “Securing Weingut Müller-Catoir is a landmark moment for our German portfolio. These are highly expressive, serious wines with a distinct, crystalline identity.”

He added that German fine wine was enjoying “a brilliant resurgence” in the UK, and said the new agency reflected Hallgarten’s efforts to strengthen its offer for top restaurants and independent merchants.

Catoir said Hallgarten’s focus on gastronomy, the independent trade and organic, high-end wines made it “the ideal partner” for the estate in the UK. Müller-Catoir joins a German portfolio that has also added Dr Loosen and Villa Wolf this year.