Top Selection
Top Selection is a family-owned London-based importer and exclusive UK distributor of premium wines and spirits, curating over 500 SKUs from more than 100 boutique producers across 21 countries for on-trade, independent retail, corporate, and private-collector clients via dedicated field sales.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Top Selection does
Top Selection is a London-based, family-owned importer and distributor of premium wines and spirits, founded in 2000 by Ákos and Michelle Forczek and operating exclusively in the United Kingdom. The company curates a portfolio of more than 500 wines and spirits from over 100 family-owned and boutique producers across 21 countries, holding exclusive UK agencies for high-prestige names including Egon Müller (since 2005, after the producer cancelled seven other distributors), Szepsy (since the founding year), Alves de Sousa, David Duband, Yves Cuilleron, Champagne André Jacquart, Duckhorn (2020), Penfolds (2023), Bodegas Baigorri (2025), and Borgogno (2026). Geography coverage as displayed on the company website spans traditional wine regions (Burgundy, Bordeaux, Piedmont, Rioja, Mosel, Tokaj, Napa) alongside emerging origins (Mexico/Jalisco, Israel, Quebec, Scotland).
The business distributes to four client segments via a direct, field-sales-led model: on-trade (restaurants and hotels), independent wine retailers, corporate clients (hospitality, gifting, incentives), and private collectors (en primeur, cellar planning, brokering). Account managers and regional sales personnel provide staff training, trade marketing support, winemaker events and dinners, exclusive regional deals for indie retailers, and educational winery trips; logistics comprise next-day London delivery and 48-hour nationwide delivery. Coravin wine-preservation systems are sold as an official Coravin Business Partner, complementing the core portfolio. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with revenue generated per case/per transaction (transaction-fee economics on each bottle sold down the channel). There is no software platform, no public API, and no AI/ML capability evident in the source materials.
Top Selection is privately held, founder-owned, and self-funded — no external investors or parent company are reported. Headcount is reported in the 11–50 employee band, with a named management team of eight including Founder & Chairman Ákos Forczek, Vice-Chairman Michelle Forczek, COO Leigh Curtis Green, Sales Director Alastair Moss, London Sales Manager Pierre Knap, Regional Sales Manager — The North Bob McDonald, Operations Manager Maud Hagan, and Finance & Operations Associate Maria Bongato. Recent recognition includes the SWA-created Boutique Wine Merchant of the Year (2016, retained 2017), three consecutive SWA UK Fine Wine Merchant of the Year titles (2018–2020), and a rise from No. 19 to No. 10 in the Harpers Top 50 UK Wholesalers between 2024 and 2025.
Top Selection firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Top Selection
- Legal name
- Top Selection Limited
- Website
- https://topselection.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Top Selection is a family-owned London-based importer and exclusive UK distributor of premium wines and spirits, curating over 500 SKUs from more than 100 boutique producers across 21 countries for on-trade, independent retail, corporate, and private-collector clients via dedicated field sales.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Top Selection industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Wine and Spirits Distribution
- NAICS
- Wine and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (42482), Beer, Wine, and Distilled Alcoholic Beverage Merchant Wholesalers (4248)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Beer, Wine & Distilled Alcoholic Beverages (5180)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Beer, Wine, Spirits) (AFAIAGAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale) (CRAOAIAB), Craft & Specialty Beverage Wholesale (Local/Artisanal) (AFAIAGAH)
Keywords
Where Top Selection is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Top Selection business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Wine and Spirits Distribution: Distribution of premium wines and spirits to restaurants, hotels, independent retailers, corporate clients, and private collectors across the UK
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
Top Selection product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Top Selection imports and distributes a curated portfolio of over 500 premium wines and spirits from more than 100 family-owned boutique producers across 21 countries, holding exclusive UK distribution rights for acclaimed brands such as Egon Müller, Duckhorn, Szepsy, Alves de Sousa, Bodegas Baigorri, and a leading California portfolio. The company sells through four channels — on-trade (restaurants and hotels), independent retailers, corporate clients, and private collectors — supported by dedicated account managers, next-day London delivery, staff training, trade marketing, winemaker events, and en primeur access. An ancillary offering is the supply of Coravin wine preservation systems as an official Coravin Business Partner.
Product overview
Top Selection is a UK-based family-owned importer and distributor of premium wines and spirits, offering a curated portfolio of over 500 wines from more than 100 producers across 21 countries. The core offering is the wine and spirits portfolio itself, which includes individual producer brands (such as Egon Müller, Duckhorn, Calera, Szepsy, and Bodegas Baigorri) organized by country and region, complemented by distribution services tailored to four client segments: on-trade (restaurants and hotels), independent retail, corporate, and private collectors. An ancillary product line includes Coravin wine preservation systems sold as an official Coravin Business Partner. The company does not operate a software platform or SaaS product; its offerings are physical products and service relationships.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Premium Wines and Spirits Portfolio Curated portfolio of over 500 premium wines and spirits from more than 100 family-owned and boutique producers across 21 countries, including exclusive UK distribution rights for Egon Müller, Szepsy, Alves de Sousa, David Duband, Yves Cuilleron, Champagne Andre Jacquart, Duckhorn, Calera, Kosta Browne, Charles Krug, Sonoma-Cutrer, Penfolds, Bodegas Baigorri, and Borgogno, among many others. Available to UK trade and private clients.
- Coravin Wine Preservation Systems Supply of Coravin wine-by-the-glass preservation systems (Timeless, Pivot, and Sparkling Wine System) and consumables, alongside access to training, promotions, and trade support for on-trade and retail clients.
- On-Trade Distribution Services Premium wine and spirits distribution for UK restaurants and hotels, including next-day London delivery and 48-hour nationwide delivery, dedicated account management, staff training, tailored trade marketing, incentive programmes, winemaker events and dinners, and access to en primeur and ex-Château fine wines.
- Independent Retail Distribution Services Distribution services for wine merchants and independent retailers offering exclusive regional deals, point-of-sale materials, next-day London and 48-hour national delivery, dedicated account management, and regular winemaker tastings and customer dinners.
- Corporate Wine Services Corporate hospitality, gifting, and event solutions including menu pairing, bespoke tasting events, staff incentive rewards, and corporate gifting programmes for legal, financial services, and SME clients.
- Private Client Wine Services Bespoke services for discerning private collectors including en primeur sales, cellar planning, brokering services, bespoke case offers, and private tastings and events, sourcing wines from the exclusive portfolio or brokering with provenance assurance.
Quantifiable outcome
- 20+ years of supplying leading UK restaurants and hotels
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Top Selection
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Top Selection technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature1 record
Top Selection partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- BorgognocoreTop Selection appointed as exclusive UK importer and distributor for Borgogno, the historic Piedmont estate established in 1761. Borgogno is the oldest continuously operating winery in Barolo with over 30 hectares of prime vineyards. Partnership provides trade clients direct access to some of the most respected Nebbiolo expressions.
- DuckhorncoreDuckhorn chose Top Selection to represent their entire portfolio in the UK starting in 2020. Duckhorn Vineyards is one of the finest and most respected wine producers in the United States, co-founded in 1976.
- Egon MullercoreEgon Muller shocked the industry in 2005 by cancelling distribution with 7 firms to give exclusivity to Top Selection. They became exclusive distributor in 2006. Egon Muller produces some of Germany's most acclaimed Rieslings from the Scharzhofberg vineyard.
- SzepsycoreFirst exclusive distribution agreement signed in 2000, making Szepsy the inaugural producer for Top Selection. Szepsy has been with Top Selection for over 20 years. Universally recognised as Tokaj and Hungary's leading winemakers.
- Alves de SousacoreAlves de Sousa joined Top Selection in 2006. The family has been producing wines for several generations in Portugal, with Domingos Alves de Sousa named Producer of the Year by Revista de Vinhos in 1999 and 2007.
- David DubandcoreDavid Duband joined Top Selection distribution in 2007. One of the leading winemakers in the Cote d'Or, managing roughly 20 hectares of vines across 23 appellations including prestigious Gevrey Chambertin and Chambolle Musigny.
- Yves CuilleroncoreTop Selection began distributing Yves Cuilleron in 2008. A third-generation winemaker managing the family estate with wines 100% made by hand in his unique style from the Rhone Valley.
- Andre Jacquart ChampagnecoreTop Selection began distributing Andre Jacquart Champagne in 2008. Family-owned Champagne house based in Vertus, in the heart of the Cote des Blancs, with 16 hectares in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger and Vertus.
- PenfoldsminorPenfolds added Top Selection to their distribution in 2023 with focus on On-Trade sector in the UK.
- Bodegas BaigorricoreRioja star Bodegas Baigorri joined the portfolio in 2025. A family-owned, B Corp-certified winery producing exceptional wines with focus on innovation, sustainability, and terroir expression in Rioja Alavesa.
- CoravinminorTop Selection are an official Coravin Business Partner, enabling them to supply all system and consumable requirements alongside access to training, promotions and trade support.
- Sonoma-CutrerminorSonoma-Cutrer joined the Duckhorn Portfolio in 2024. They blend Californian innovation with Burgundian tradition, with six estate vineyards across 1,121 acres in the Russian River Valley and Sonoma Coast.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Top Selection competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Liberty Wines: One of the UK's largest specialist wine importers, focused on premium and on-trade distribution with a similar boutique-producer agency model. Direct head-to-head competitor in UK fine wine wholesale and a benchmark for Top Selection's Harpers Top 50 ranking.
- Lay & Wheeler: UK fine wine merchant with strong direct-to-consumer, en primeur, and private client proposition. Competes with Top Selection's private collectors and corporate gifting segments.
- Justerini & Brooks: Historic UK fine wine merchant focused on Burgundy, Bordeaux, and rare wines to collectors and on-trade accounts. Direct competitor in the premium and fine wine collector space.
- Corney & Barrow: Long-established UK fine wine merchant with strong on-trade and private client focus. Direct competitor in the UK premium wine distribution and collector market.
- Alliance Wine: UK-based specialist importer and distributor with an emphasis on craft, family-owned producers and on-trade accounts. Similar boutique agency model and target customer profile.
- Bibendum Wine: UK specialist wine importer and distributor with a curated portfolio of family-owned producers. Operates across on-trade, independent retail, and direct-to-consumer — closely aligned to Top Selection's model.
- Hallgarten & Novum Wines: UK specialist wine importer/distributor with an exclusive agency portfolio covering family-owned estates. Overlaps directly with Top Selection's premium on-trade and independent retail channels.
- Berkmann Wine Merchants: Family-owned UK specialist wine importer with a similar boutique-producer curation philosophy and on-trade focus. Operates as one of Top Selection's closest like-for-like competitors in the UK fine wine market.
- Enotria Winecellars (Enotria & Coe): Major UK wine and spirits importer and distributor serving on-trade, off-trade, and wholesale. Directly comparable in business model, target customer base, and exclusive agency structure.
Broad incumbents
- Majestic Wine (now Naked Wines / Majestic): One of the largest UK wine retailers and wholesalers, serving a much broader mass-market customer base. Provides scale benchmark and indirect competitive pressure on Top Selection's independent retail accounts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Top Selection social profiles
Digital presenceTop Selection financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Top Selection leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Top Selection funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Top Selection M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Top Selection
What does Top Selection do?
Top Selection imports and distributes a curated portfolio of over 500 premium wines and spirits from more than 100 family-owned boutique producers across 21 countries, holding exclusive UK distribution rights for acclaimed brands such as Egon Müller, Duckhorn, Szepsy, Alves de Sousa, Bodegas Baigorri, and a leading California portfolio. The company sells through four channels — on-trade (restaurants and hotels), independent retailers, corporate clients, and private collectors — supported by dedicated account managers, next-day London delivery, staff training, trade marketing, winemaker events, and en primeur access. An ancillary offering is the supply of Coravin wine preservation systems as an official Coravin Business Partner.
Is Top Selection a public or private company?
Top Selection is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Top Selection founded?
Top Selection was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Top Selection based?
Top Selection is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Top Selection make money?
One revenue line is on record: wine and Spirits Distribution.
Who are Top Selection's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Liberty Wines, Lay & Wheeler, Justerini & Brooks, Corney & Barrow, Alliance Wine, Bibendum Wine, Hallgarten & Novum Wines, Berkmann Wine Merchants and Enotria Winecellars (Enotria & Coe). Majestic Wine (now Naked Wines / Majestic) is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Top Selection have an API?
No public API is recorded for Top Selection.
What industry is Top Selection in?
Top Selection's product category is Wine and Spirits Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFAIAGAA, Alcoholic Beverage Wholesale (Beer, Wine, Spirits), with a secondary code of CRAOAIAB, Alcohol Importers & Brand Owners (Wholesale). Its NAICS code is 42482 and its SIC code is 5180.