They seem to have a real affection for the brand, a feeling that the brand really 'belongs' to them.

It all started back in 1857, when Hermann Sichel founded his wine business in Mainz, Germany. The company took off when it decided to commemorate the extraordinary vintage of 1921 with a special new label: Blue Nun. The new brand won instant recognition in the UK and before long was found in most top London hotels and restaurants.

In the early 1930s over 1000 cases were sold in the UK alone, which in those days was exceptional for a single label.

The brand continued to gain popular approval and sales volume right through to the 1970s, when Blue Nun reached its peak of around 3.5 million bottles sold in the UK alone.

The 1980s saw the brand falling behind as it failed to adjust to rapidly changing consumer demands. Sales fell to an all-time low of 800.000 bottles. However, Blue Nun's fortunes took a decisive turn for the better when Langguth and Sichel merged and a fresh course was set to restore the brand. Together with our trade partners we committed ourselves to a fundamental updating of the brand without losing its proven core brand values.

Formerly a Liebfraumilch, Blue Nun's quality was upgraded to a Qualitätswein, and the wine was given a more contemporary style. It became a touch drier, slimmer and more refreshing, to suit today's mainstream taste.

Next we made use of the combined experience of the two houses – that's over 350 years in total – together with Langguth’s long established French and Spanish connections, to extend the Blue Nun family with the addition of some popular reds, a rosè,  and sparkling whites.

Across the board, we strengthened the branding: the bottles became blue, the labels were redesigned. Perhaps most important of all, we worked more closely with our importers and distributors, who understood the brand and where it was going.

You know the result. Or you can guess it. Since the merger, worldwide sales have tripled and continue to move steadily upward. In 2005 Blue Nun announced sales figures of almost 5 million bottles in a twelve-month period for the UK alone, outselling it’s 1970's peak of 3.5 million bottles by some margin. This represents an enormous growth since its re-launch in 1997. Today Blue Nun wines are sold in over a hundred countries around the globe.

In 2005 Blue Nun is celebrating its revival by offering the consumer a new wine drinking experience, with the creation of Slinky, the first Wine-Crush in the RTD (ready to drink) category.