Business History Explorer Supported by the Business Archives Council

Croft & Co Ltd

Other Business Names:

  • Phayre & Bradley
  • Gilbey, W & A, Ltd
  • United Distillers & Vintners Ltd
  • Taylor, Fladgate & Fonseca
  • Gonzalez Byass

Locations city-town / local authority / county1974 / region-state / country:

  • Oporto, Portugal

Sectors:

  • Beverage production Port, sherry & other alcoholic drinks production
  • Merchanting & trade, international & inland Wine trading & trade, inc port & sherry
  • Distribution - wholesaling, broking, market trading, etc Wine, spirit, beer, etc, distribution

Notes:

Traces origins to c1678. Originally known as Phayre & Bradley. 1736 John Croft, sometime wine merchant at York, joined the partnership. By 1827 Croft & Co were fourth largest fortified wine producers/shippers to England from Portugal. 1911 acquired by W & A Gilbey, better known as London gin distillers, acquired the business. By 1927 were the leading shippers. Subsequently part of Diageo Plc's United Distillers & Vintners Ltd and sold by them to Taylor, Fladgate & Fonseca and Gonzalez Byass in 2001

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