Wine writer and entrepreneur Matthew Jukes dies at 58, leaving legacy of inclusivity and non-alcoholic innovation

Matthew Jukes, the respected wine writer, entrepreneur and founder of the award-winning non-alcoholic range Jukes Cordialities, has died suddenly at the age of 58. His death was confirmed this week by colleagues and friends across the drinks industry.

Jukes spent four decades shaping British wine culture, first as a writer and broadcaster, then as the creator of the influential "100 Best Australian Wines" annual tasting and report. In recent years he upended expectations again by launching Jukes Cordialities, a line of sophisticated non-alcoholic blends that earned listings in Michelin-starred restaurants and multiple industry awards.

A career defined by generosity and rigour

Colleagues describe Jukes as a rare figure who combined sharp commercial instinct with an unusually strict personal code. He refused freebies, insisting on paying his own way at trade events, and would donate the equivalent cost to charity if a bill was settled without his knowledge. At tastings he was known for a silent, determined focus until the work was done, then turning warm and generous, often picking up the tab for drinks afterwards.

Libby Brodie, wine writer for this newspaper and a close friend who co-hosted last year's Toast the City Awards with Jukes, recalled his inclusivity at a time when the industry was overwhelmingly male. "He bounded in and greeted me enthusiastically," she said. "During the panel interview he was the only one who turned the questions back to me saying, 'Well you're also a wine expert Libby, what do you think?'"

He was immediately respectful, inclusive and supportive, which was a refreshing change at the time.

Jukes Cordialities redefined the zero-proof aisle

The Jukes Cordialities range, developed with his wife Amelia, includes the Believe blend (sold at Tesco for £9), the Sparkling Rosé (£4 a can at Waitrose, £8 a bottle direct), and the award-winning Sparkling Collection (12 cans for £52 at jukescordialities.com). The drinks are now poured in Michelin-starred kitchens and have become a benchmark for the premium non-alcoholic category.

Industry figures credit Jukes with proving that alcohol-free could be taken seriously without mimicking wine. His formulations used acidity, tannin and botanical complexity to create structure, an approach that has since been widely adopted.

Family and legacy

Jukes is survived by his wife Amelia, their daughters and two young sons. Friends say his family was the centre of his life, and that he would have been characteristically dismissive of the tributes now flowing. The future of Jukes Cordialities has not been publicly addressed, though the brand's distribution agreements with major retailers suggest continuity is likely.

Across the trade, the response has been uniform: a communicator who made wine accessible without dumbing it down, a businessman who put ethics before advantage, and a friend who made space for others at the table.