Introducing WWHQ

World Wine HeadQuarters (WWHQ) is a new John Larchet entity that has been on the "drawing board" for a number of years, given my love and familiarity of fine wines from around the world, as well as family connections. True to its name, WWHQ will comprise of distinctive Wine Estates from both new and old world countries, with a key dimension that will distinguish it from other "worldly" portfolios.

I am intent on selecting only two or three distinctive properties from each country of origin ( yes, two or three per country!!), so that WWHQ is a truly balanced "worldly" portfolio, without any obvious "bias". This requires significant discipline on my part, but it is what I want to do. It also means I am not competing with my friends with specialist portfolios, just like TAPWC, my specialist Australian Estate portfolio.

Priorities and Preferences

For obvious reasons, my starting point in constructing the WWHQ portfolio is other S. Hemisphere countries, notably New Zealand and Argentina. New Zealand has been a favorite place to visit since I made Australia my home back in 1991 (rugby driven!!). With Argentina, I have family connections and friendships which date back to my childhood, and it’s a country I love to spend time in.

Being Irish born, raised and educated, of French Huguenot descent, a few years living in Berlin, married to a Chicago gal who I met in Melbourne, with our Aussie born son Benjamin, and family spread across the globe, assembling a “worldly” portfolio was inevitable!! Given that I divide my time between homes in Sydney and San Diego, adding a few continents becomes manageable.

This is a very personal mission. Across the globe, there are “Superstars” that are yet to be “discovered” or presented. That is the focus of WWHQ. Again breaking with tradition, our intention is to work with only two or three properties from each source country, ensuring a very clear focus and balance across the WWHQ portfolio.

My palate has led me to Estates that meet the “Distinctive Style Imprint” that has been the hallmark of TAPWC. Wines that are highly aromatic, and intensely flavored. But above all else, wines that are born with a natural sense of balance and harmony. By definition, wines that do not have any “arms or legs sticking out” (no excessive alcohol, no excessive acidity, no excessive tannins and no excessive oak), will always be more pleasurable to drink.

Our Pedigree

Whilst WWHQ is technically a “new entity”, in reality it is an extension of a very successful family owned enterprise, The Australian Premium Wine Collection™ which I established over 13 years ago. It was back then in 1995, that I chose to turn a passion for wine into a profession! TAPWC remains a very active and vital part of my life and business. We have built a very substantial loyal Customer base, and enjoy strong distribution in the USA and the western Provinces of Canada, as well as more recently extending our reach into China. We have also been very fortunate to have received over the years, very positive commentary and reviews about our Estate Selections from the most respected wine media publications, including the Wine Advocate, Wine Spectator and Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar.

WWHQ Selections are now available

I am excited about this new project. The Estates we have discovered are exceptional, and our predominantly single vineyard selections compelling. We have worked hard to offer these wines at extremely attractive price points, for all wine enthusiasts to explore with confidence. Whilst it is early days, there is no doubt that the wines of WWHQ are enthusing and exciting wine lovers, just as the wines of TAPWC continue to.

Our first shipments from two distinctive properties in Argentina, Altivo and Ichanka, and Isabel Estate in New Zealand are already available in many major US cities. Estate selections from my favorite “old world” countries including Italy, Spain, France and Austria will soon follow.

Importantly every bottle of wine selected by WWHQ will have the official WWHQ neck label that identifies it as a wine that “exhibits the qualities and distinctiveness that warrants its recognition as one of the world’s finest wines”. Exciting time in the world of fine wine.

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