Berry Bros. & Rudd makes its american debut with House of 1698 by Union Collective

Berry Bros. & Rudd, the 327-year-old British wine and spirits merchant marks its US launch with a landmark experience in Washington DC — reimagining three centuries of heritage through contemporary storytelling, design, and hospitality.

Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant, Berry Bros. & Rudd, has landed in America. To celebrate its US launch and the opening of its first US store, the 327-year-old brand has unveiled House of 1698 — a three-day invitation-only experience designed and produced by creative studio Union Collective.

Set within the walls of an elegant Washington D.C. townhouse, House of 1698 invited guests to step through time — from the candle-lit cellars of 17th-century St James’s Street to the vibrant present day. The experience fused old-world craftsmanship with modern design, storytelling, and hospitality, translating centuries of British heritage into a fresh cultural expression for American audiences.

Guests explored over 300 years of remarkable history: from Widow Bourne’s original shop at No.3 St James’s Street to Titanic cargo ledgers, and the royal warrants that helped shape Britain’s fine wine legacy. Archival materials, photography, and bold contemporary artworks brought these stories to life, while every detail — scent, service, and sound — was curated to evoke the spirit of St James’s.

In The Solarium, Berry Bros. & Rudd wine experts led guided tastings from the company’s Own Selection — a collection of exceptional wines, whiskies, rums, and more that showcase the merchant’s deep relationships with producers around the world. A dedicated Martini Bar paid tribute to No.3 Gin, inviting guests to discover the brand’s award-winning spirit through perfectly balanced martinis served by No.3’s Global Brand Ambassador, Alicia Stark – supported by Union Collectives Head of Cocktails & Spirits, Dean Callan.

The Drawing Room hosted a series of intimate dinners with menus created to complement rare wines and champagnes from Krug, Château Cheval Blanc, Harlan
Estate, Bollinger, Don Perignon and Château Lafite Rothschild — with the producers themselves joining guests to share stories and insights alongside family members from the business.

The House of 1698 experience marks the official launch of Berry Bros. & Rudd in the US whilst also coinciding with the opening of Berry Bros. & Rudd’s first permanent store in Washington DC — a pivotal step in the company’s global expansion and a landmark moment for one of Britain’s most storied family businesses.
A Creative Collaboration Rooted in Storytelling Berry Bros. & Rudd partnered with Union Collective, the London-based creative studio specialising in brand experiences, storytelling, and content production. The studio led every facet of House of 1698 — from creative direction and design to hospitality, service, architecture, catering, and film.

“This moment connects more than three centuries of British heritage with a new generation of American wine & spirits lovers,” said Claudia Stebbings, Director of
Marketing & Experiences, Berry Bros. & Rudd. “We wanted our US launch to feel vibrant — a celebration of the past, present, and future of fine wine — and Union Collective helped us realise that vision in spectacular fashion.”

“Our ambition was to turn history into something you could feel,” said Mark Mitchell, CEO & Co-Founder of Union Collective. “Every touchpoint — from the scent of oak to the rhythm of service — was crafted to reflect Berry Bros. & Rudd’s legacy while introducing it to America with a sense of contemporary discovery and delight.”
About Berry Bros. & Rudd Founded in 1698, Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain’s oldest wine and spirits merchant.

Family-owned, the company continues to trade from its historic home at No.3 St James’s Street, London, with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, and Tokyo. In November 2025, Berry Bros. & Rudd launched in the US with its first store in Washington DC.