The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-03-31
A BIG ESTABLISHMENT.
Marvellous Growth Of W. IA. GlIby Com
pauy, Of Which Shepard Company Is Agent.

Bcnforts wine and spirit circular OF
Jan. 10th has a ffve-page, illustrated arti-
Gle descriptive OF the establishment OF
w. q A. Gilbey, London. England-the
largest wine and spirit merchants in the
world. AS The Shepard company OF this
city has the exclusive agency in this To-
ca1ity for the high class product OF this
worlds famous establishment. n few of
the many interesting things mentioned
In the article are reprinted
A copy OF the entire article will be fur
nished TO anyone interested at the wine
section OF Tho Shepard company
The foundation OF this immense busl-
neee was begun In basement in 1856 In
the west end OF London with n nominal
capital. The speciality was handling
colonial wines, and they met with re-
nrarkable degree OF success In three years
having 1000 customers on their books. In
1850, Gandstone then chancellor Of tho
excheuuer, thought that he might strike
new source OF revenue. and assist in
the promotion OF temperance by rendering
II possible for tradesmen OF various kinds
to hold licenses for the sale OF wines
and spirits by the bottle. II was argued
that II people could purchase these arti-
clcs by the bottle at grocers etc. that
there would be less likely TO waste OF time
and money in saloons.
About this time the duty on French
wines was reduced to two pence a bottle,
with a result that double the quantity OF
wine WAS consumed, but II was a death
blow to the colonial wine trade and Gil
hey q Co. sustained heavy losses. How
ever they entered the French wine trade.
and gave their customers the benefit of
the reduced duty, regardless OF what
older firms were doing. and this gave the
young Arm fillip of which 1t never
ceased 10 feel the benefit
At this time the Arm sold direct 10 the
consumer only, but n knowledge OF the
excellence OF the wines and spirits sold
by Gilbey g. Co caused many dealers
TO make application TO handle them. Ul-
timeteiy the firm dropped direct selling
to the consumer and appointed district
agents. Today they have over 5000 agents
In the United Kingdom. and 1000 foreign
agents all over the world.
While Messrs Gdlbey Co. distill their
own gin and make thousands OF gallons
of distilled water on the premises.
Scotch end Irish whiskey Is one OF their
strong points. They are the proprietors
OF two we'll known malt distillers In the
Gleniivet district OF tho Scotch High
lands-Glen Spey distillery and Strath-
mill distillery. During the season over
1000 butts, Of some 24o 600 gallons. are
Distilled at these establishments. and Il
Is the firm pride that nothing but the
finest barley grown in the district is
used for mailing purposes. The firm pur-
chased the Vineyard estate OF Chateau
Loudenne. IN the Medon district. IN lS7b.
This vineyard IL capable 81 producing an
nually 500 20 1000 hogsheads OF claret.
AZ the Paris exposition the hrm was
awarded the gold medal for their dis
play of clsret in the French section. the
exhibit being the product OF the Chateau
mentioned Such facts speak volumes
FOR the purity and excellence Of the wines
Of the firm.
Messrs. Gilbey have their own lodges at
Oporto. whore BOO pipes of port are al
ways lying stored and maturing and
they have their own stores ~ Cognac
for the maturing OF brandies. The sales
exceed 100000 bottles annually.