Our story
Just like a fine wine, we’re not shy about showing our age. Our 200 years of history supplying the trade gives us the expertise our customers demand.
More than 200 years in the trade
Matthew Clark Bibendum has been shaped by more than two centuries of experience serving the drinks trade. Today, we bring together the heritage of Matthew Clark, founded in 1810, with the specialist wine expertise of Bibendum, established in 1982.
Together, we combine one of the UK’s longest-standing drinks businesses with one of its most respected wine specialists, creating a single partner with the breadth, expertise and capability to support hospitality businesses of every size. That heritage continues to shape who we are today. It gives us the perspective to understand how hospitality has evolved, the expertise to help customers navigate change and the experience to build drinks partnerships that stand the test of time.
Matthew Clark was founded in 1810
Beginning life as a wine and spirits broking business, Matthew Clark is built on trusted supplier relationships, product knowledge and a close understanding of licensed hospitality, the business quickly established a reputation as a valued partner to the on-trade.
Over the following two centuries, Matthew Clark continued to evolve alongside the hospitality industry. Remaining family owned for six generations before becoming a public company, the business expanded through investment, acquisition and innovation, growing into one of the UK’s best-known drinks wholesalers. Today, our headquarters remain in Bristol, and the values that shaped the business from the beginning continue to define the way we work: building long-term relationships, understanding our customers and delivering dependable service.
Bibendum is born in 1982
Wine has always been central to Matthew Clark, but the addition of Bibendum strengthened that expertise even further.
Founded in 1982, Bibendum built an outstanding reputation as a premium wine specialist, recognised for its producer relationships, carefully curated portfolio and understanding of what makes a successful wine offer in hospitality. The combination of Matthew Clark’s scale and route-to-market expertise with Bibendum’s specialist wine knowledge created something unique: a business capable of supporting every type of hospitality customer while offering genuine depth of wine expertise.
Today, that heritage continues to shape our approach, helping customers create wine offers that drive both guest satisfaction and commercial performance.
Becoming stronger together
In 2018, Matthew Clark and Bibendum became part of C&C Group. In 2026, the two businesses came together as one integrated proposition, combining the scale and operational strength of Matthew Clark with the premium wine expertise and specialist heritage of Bibendum.
Today, customers benefit from a simpler way of doing business. One partner across every drinks category. One relationship. One delivery. One invoice.
Backed by the strength of C&C Group, Matthew Clark Bibendum combines more than 200 years of drinks heritage with the insight, expertise and execution needed to help hospitality businesses serve more and better drinks.
And the future is looking bright
Matthew Clark Bibendum is the full service partner hospitality businesses trust to elevate their drinks offer, grow their revenue, and keep consumers customers coming back.
As the UK’s leading wine business and most complete on-trade drinks partner, we bring together the depth of a premium specialist and the scale of a national operator. Our wine credentials are industry-leading. Our category experts and range span every drinks segment. And our view across thousands of hospitality venues unlocks unmatched commercial intelligence. That insight shapes everything we do, from building the right range for every venue, to equipping teams to upsell with confidence, to activating the experiences that turn first visits into loyal regulars.
Underpinned by nationwide execution that is data-led, training-backed and activation-ready, so each drinks offer doesn’t just look good on paper, it performs where it matters most: at the bar, on the floor, and on the bottom line. From independent operators to national groups, we are one partner for every pour. One relationship. One delivery. One invoice. All backed by a team that is invested in the success of our customers.
Ready to make the next step?
Join us today by following these links