Wines and spirits distributor Enotria has named Phillip White as its new chief executive officer (CEO).
White succeeds Julian Momen, who retired, and takes over a role that has been temporarily filled by John Colley, executive chairman and CEO of the company’s parent, Majestic Wine Group, since September 2025.
In his new role, White will oversee the execution of Enotria’s strategic plan, focusing on strengthening the company’s product portfolio, creating a ‘best-in-market’ service offering, and growing its customer base—particularly among national accounts and premium restaurants, hotels, and bar groups across the UK.
White brings nearly four decades of experience with leading alcohol brands, on-trade suppliers, and major foodservice distributors. Most recently, he served as chief executive of malt whisky specialist Gordon & MacPhail, a role he stepped down from in 2025 after one year to relocate from Scotland to the south of England.
During nearly 11 years at global spirits giant Bacardi, White served three years as director of sales for on-trade retail and a similar period as country manager for the Republic of Ireland, before moving to Brakes in 2013.
After seven-and-a-half years in various director roles at Brakes—including two years as divisional director for hospitality and three-and-a-half years as director of corporate and logistics—White joined foodservice distributor Sysco Corporation in 2020. He initially served as managing director of Kent Frozen Foods (KFF) and later assumed additional responsibility for Sysco’s Medina Foodservice business.
White joins Enotria nine months after its acquisition by Majestic Wine Group for an undisclosed sum. In September, the company reverted to its original name from Enotria&Coe, which it had used for a decade following its acquisition of Coe Vintners.
In October, Enotria signed an agreement to become the exclusive UK distributor for Argentinian winery Catena Zapata, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen and diversify its portfolio.
Majestic’s Colley said: “Phillip has demonstrated what a brilliant operator he is throughout his career, and he brings with him a huge amount of experience and expertise across the on-trade, distribution, supply chain and logistics – all of which make him the perfect candidate to lead Enotria into its next phase of growth.
“We’re at the start of another important and transformational year for the Enotria business. We have already made solid progress over the past nine months, but I am really looking forward to working with Phillip and his team to accelerate that momentum and deliver on our exciting plans.”
White added: “The opportunity is clear: combine a standout premium portfolio with consistently exceptional service and be the partner our customers rely on to help them thrive in today’s market. I am really looking forward to getting back into the wholesale on-trade sector, especially with a business as special as Enotria.”
Enotria was founded as Enotria Wines by Remo Nardone in 1972 and works with over 300 wine producers, including more than 200 exclusive agency brands. The company supplies restaurants, hotels, and hospitality venues such as Gaucho, Rick Stein, Hotel du Vin/Malmaison, Bancone, and L’Enclume.
Over the past two decades, Enotria has expanded across all supply channels, acquiring Wheeler Cellars in 2008, Great Western Wine—now operating from its Bath location as the Great Wine Co—in 2010, and Coe Vintners in 2015.
Majestic was founded in 1980 and, in 2019, separated from Naked Wines following its sale to Fortress Investment Group.
In 2024, Majestic acquired Vagabond Wines out of administration for £6.5 million, a deal that included nine Vagabond bars in London and Birmingham and preserved 171 jobs.
