On a quiet stretch of Farragut Square, just blocks from the corridors of power in Washington, D.C., a new address now houses one of Britain’s most storied wine merchants. Behind its doors sits more than a retail shop—it represents 326 years of wine history arriving on American soil.
Berry Bros. & Rudd, the venerable London-based merchant founded in 1698, has opened its first U.S. retail location at 888 17th Street NW. Long revered among collectors for its rare bottles, cellar management expertise, and deep relationships with the world’s leading producers, the firm’s arrival signals a notable moment for America’s increasingly sophisticated wine culture.
For the merchant, the expansion is less about selling bottles and more about cultivating collectors.
“The city is well placed in terms of regulation, location, and customer base to offer our full suite of services, including retail, cellar management, storage, and events,” says Emma Fox, CEO of Berry Bros. & Rudd. “It places us in a prime position to support our growing online customer base and logistics network in the United States.”
The opening reflects years of planning. Fox notes that the company first explored opening an American store more than two decades ago, but regulatory barriers made the idea impractical at the time. Today, however, the U.S. market has evolved dramatically, with collectors increasingly seeking provenance, expert guidance, and direct relationships with trusted merchants.
“Our relationship with the U.S. stretches back over 100 years,” Fox says. “Initially driven by the success of Cutty Sark, but more recently across both wines and spirits. We see tremendous potential in the market.”
Few wine merchants carry the historical weight of Berry Bros. & Rudd.
The firm began in 1698 when the Widow Bourne opened a small shop on St. James’s Street selling coffee, spices, cocoa, and other exotic imports. Wine entered the business gradually, but the shop soon became a gathering place for London’s elite.
Its ledgers record purchases from figures such as Lord Byron and the famously fashionable Beau Brummell, and the merchant’s proximity to St. James’s Palace ensured a steady stream of aristocratic clientele.
Royal connections would eventually define the brand’s identity. Berry Bros. & Rudd received its first Royal Warrant in 1903 from King Edward VII, an association that continues today. Queen Elizabeth II maintained the appointment during her reign, while King Charles III granted his own warrant when he was Prince of Wales in 1998.
The company remains family-linked more than three centuries after its founding, with Lizzy Rudd serving as chair of the board.
One of its most enduring creations also dates to the Edwardian era. In 1903, Berry Bros. & Rudd developed a ginger liqueur for King Edward VII to warm him during brisk open-air automobile journeys. The spirit, known today as The King’s Ginger, remains a signature offering.
Rather than functioning as a traditional bottle shop, the Washington location is designed as an entry point into the world of fine wine collecting.
Visitors can explore a carefully curated range of bottles spanning ready-to-drink classics and cellar-worthy vintages. Staff members also guide clients through the process of building long-term collections, whether through Bordeaux futures, Barolo destined for extended aging, or rare Burgundy allocations.
The merchant’s Good Ordinary Claret, produced in partnership with Bordeaux négociant Dourthe, remains a cornerstone of the house’s own-label selection. Yet the Washington inventory stretches well beyond everyday Bordeaux.
Collectors may encounter wines such as Château Lynch-Bages from Pauillac—known for powerful, structured reds—as well as Champagne Mailly, Chablis from Domaine Sébastien Dampt, and Barolo crafted by Giovanni Rosso in Piedmont.
Jamie Ritchie, formerly Sotheby’s global head of wine auctions and now managing director of Berry Bros. & Rudd International and Auctions, believes the American market presents unique opportunities.
“The U.S. consumer behaves differently from the U.K. consumer,” Ritchie says. “When American collectors begin to engage with wine, they tend to do so with real enthusiasm.”
Wine, he suggests, increasingly occupies a place within lifestyle and leisure.
“With the speed and pressure of modern life, when people give up their free time, they want it to be enjoyable—fun, exciting, escapism,” he says. “People are looking for connection. A connection with Berry Bros., a connection with producers, and a deeper story behind what they’re buying.”
While Bordeaux remains central to Berry Bros. & Rudd’s identity, the Washington shop also reflects the merchant’s broader expertise in collectible spirits.
Its independent whisky bottlings—drawn from distilleries across Speyside, the Highlands, and the Lowlands—have become particularly prized among collectors. These limited releases, often bottled at cask strength, offer enthusiasts rare expressions not typically available through standard distribution.
Alongside collectible Scotch, the merchant also offers premium gin, rum, and other spirits drawn from both historic distilleries and emerging producers.
Yet the emphasis remains firmly on curation rather than quantity. The store’s inventory reflects Berry Bros. & Rudd’s long-standing relationships with producers across Europe and beyond, allowing access to bottles rarely seen in traditional retail environments.
Washington may seem an unconventional choice for the merchant’s American debut, but the location reflects a carefully considered strategy.
The capital offers a concentration of international professionals, diplomats, collectors, and business leaders—many of whom already participate in the global fine-wine market.
“Washington is a city where discerning drinkers are trading up, not down,” Fox says. “American customers have always shown a strong appreciation for luxury British brands and true craftsmanship.”
For Berry Bros. & Rudd, the goal is not scale but depth.
“We’re not interested in volume,” Fox adds. “We’re interested in collectors who want access to wines they simply can’t find elsewhere.”
After more than three centuries in business, the merchant’s formula has remained remarkably consistent: rare bottles, trusted expertise, and relationships built slowly over time.
Now, for the first time, those traditions have found a permanent home in the United States.
