John Clevely MW passes away

A towering figure in the UK wine trade, John Clevely MW passed away peacefully at home on 20 May 2025, aged 97. His legacy includes decades of influence at the Institute of Masters of Wine, alongside senior roles at some of Europe’s most respected wine houses. Born in 1927, widely hailed as one of the greatest Port vintages, John Clevely entered the wine trade in the years immediately following the Second World War. His first role was at Bournemouth Wine Co., where he worked from 1948 to 1949. In 1950, he was awarded the prestigious Vintners' Scholar accolade. He joined Simon Bros & Co Ltd in 1951, remaining with the company until 1960. During this period, he deepened his practical and theoretical knowledge of wine, culminating in his successful completion of the Master of Wine examination in 1957. At the time, there were only 18 Masters of Wine globally.

A guiding force at the IMW

Clevely played a vital role in shaping the Institute of Masters of Wine. He served on the IMW Council for 16 years (1964–1980) and contributed to the education of future MWs as a member of the Examination Panel for both Theory and Practical papers between 1968 and 1978. In 1967, ten years after passing the exam, he became chairman of the Institute. That same year, he also chaired the Wine and Spirit Trades’ Benevolent Society. He celebrated his 60th anniversary as a Master of Wine in 2017 at Vintners’ Hall in London.

Commercial leadership from Deinhard to Louis Latour

Clevely’s commercial influence extended through several key wine companies. He served as director of Deinhard & Co from 1960 to 1970, before being appointed chairman and managing director of H. Parrot, then owned by Veuve Clicquot, a position he held for two decades from 1970 to 1990. After stepping down from Veuve Clicquot, he joined the board of Louis Latour and later became chairman of Louis Latour Agencies, reinforcing the Burgundian house’s presence in the UK and abroad.

Industry service and family legacy

Throughout the 1970s, he also served as a Trustee of the Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET) and was admitted to the Livery of the Vintners’ Company in 1983. He is survived by his devoted wife Marigold and their children Rupert, Dilly and Barnabas, along with many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His son Rupert followed in his father’s footsteps in the drinks industry, founding the Geronimo group of pubs in 1995 after a 20-year career with Veuve Clicquot in marketing and management roles. John Clevely MW’s contribution to the world of wine spanned more than seven decades, marked by his dedication to education, excellence and mentorship. He will be remembered with admiration and deep affection across the trade.