How Farthinghoe Modernised Its Wine Business Through Automation
Discover how Farthinghoe Fine Wine replaced manual workflows with wine automation, freeing up time to focus on clients and growth.
From manual processes to a more efficient way of working
Farthinghoe Fine Wine is a second-generation family wine merchant based in Oxfordshire. A Liv-ex member since 2006, the business combines traditional wine merchant expertise with modern technology, helping clients buy, sell and manage fine wine more effectively.
However, as the business evolved, manual processes were taking up an increasing amount of the team’s time.
The Challenge: Too Much Time Spent on Administration
Like many established wine merchants, Farthinghoe Fine Wine relied on a number of manual processes across the business. Tasks such as preparing client valuations, identifying wines for sale, broking on behalf of clients, and collecting critic scores for the website required information to be gathered from multiple sources and compiled manually.
These processes worked, but they limited efficiency and made scaling the business increasingly difficult.
We recognised that we needed to modernise. We were very manual across all areas of the business. Ben Grosvenor, Commercial Director
The Solution: Connecting Hweb and Liv-ex
As part of its modernisation efforts, Farthinghoe first migrated its ERP to Hweb, one of Liv-ex’s trusted software partners. Hweb then helped create a connected ecosystem where prices, market data and product information, including critic scores and ABVs, flow automatically between Liv-ex and Farthinghoe’s internal systems.
Farthinghoe also connected its website and client portal directly to the Liv-ex Exchange, so wines can be listed efficiently and seamlessly.
We wanted to automate wherever possible so the team could spend less time on administration and more time adding value for clients. Ben Grosvenor, Commercial Director
Automating client valuations and recommendations
Liv-ex data is now integrated directly into their ERP, enabling the team to generate valuations and sales recommendations far more efficiently. Rather than gathering information from multiple sources, staff can access pricing, critic scores, and other data within a single place.
Streamlining broking operations
The integration has also transformed Farthinghoe’s broking processes. When wines are sold through Liv-ex, the information flows directly into Hweb, reducing the administrative effort involved in processing transactions and keeping records up to date.
Giving clients greater control and self-serve capabilities
Clients can now view their reserves online, access up-to-date market prices, manage listings and monitor their portfolios through a modern digital experience. They can also list wines on Liv-ex directly, while the Farthinghoe team retains visibility and oversight throughout the process.
The Results: More Time for What Matters
The biggest impact has been time savings. Tasks that once required significant manual effort can now be completed almost instantly, allowing the team to focus on higher-value activities.
Broking activity that once involved multiple employees can now be overseen by a single individual, creating capacity elsewhere in the business.
The automation is doing all the hard work. I need to manage it and oversee it, but it works in the background and allows me to concentrate on other areas of the business. Martin Wheatley, Fine Wine Sales & Client Broking.
The efficiencies created through automation mean more time devoted to marketing, business development and customer relationships. For Farthinghoe, automation hasn’t just improved efficiency. It has helped turn its ambition of becoming ‘The Modern Merchant’, a wine merchant for the 21st century, into a reality.
Learn how automation can improve efficiency across your wine business. Download our Automation Guide.
Key Benefits
- Automated, instant client valuations
- Reduced manual admin across broking workflows
- Greater operational efficiency and freed up internal capacity
- Improved data consistency and visibility
- Enhanced client self-service capabilities
- Scalable technology foundation for future growth
A Collaborative Partnership
Throughout the implementation, Hweb worked closely with Farthinghoe to understand their needs and adapt accordingly. According to Martin, it felt like they were ‘building it together’.
The support from Hweb was fantastic. They have been incredibly open and transparent, and their flexibility and adaptability has really helped us. Ben Grosvenor, Commercial Director.
Learn how another UK merchant used Liv-ex Trading Automation to sell wine 24/7 and triple their sales here.