International SEO for the UK's oldest fine wine merchant

The client.

Corney & Barrow is one of the most distinguished names in the world of fine wine. Established in 1780, this esteemed wine merchant has built an extraordinary reputation, offering exclusive access to some of the most sought-after wines in the world. As a Royal Warrant holder and the trusted partner of renowned vineyards and domaines, Corney & Barrow is synonymous with heritage, expertise, and an unwavering commitment to quality.

While the brand has long been revered by fine wine collectors and connoisseurs—offering brokering and cellaring services for rare and investment-grade wines—our collaboration has helped them expand their reach to a broader audience of everyday wine consumers. Corney & Barrow’s online presence now serves both ends of the market: a premier destination for serious collectors seeking exclusive allocations, and a trusted merchant for those looking to discover and enjoy exceptional, elevated wines for any occasion.

It has been an absolute privilege to work with such an iconic brand, supporting their evolution in the digital landscape while preserving the prestige and integrity that have made them a pillar of the wine industry for a quarter of a century.

What we did.

Our partnership with Corney & Barrow was built around a clear set of objectives: strengthening their visibility in fine wine markets—covering everything from prestigious producers and brokering services to cellaring and in-bond purchases—while also expanding their reach in the high-end everyday wine sector. Given the nature of the industry, we structured our strategy around four key seasonal peaks: Burgundy En Primeur, Bordeaux, summer selections, and Christmas.

At the outset, the website faced significant technical challenges that hindered its search performance. We began by conducting a comprehensive audit, identifying and prioritising key issues, and working closely with developers to resolve them. From there, we delivered training to empower Corney & Barrow’s internal teams with the knowledge needed to maintain long-term SEO best practices.

To strengthen visibility across both fine wine investment and premium everyday wine markets, we implemented a hub-and-spoke content strategy. This included a long-term content roadmap and campaign-specific plans, designed to establish topical authority and guide users seamlessly through the site. Internal linking and site architecture were optimised to enhance search engine understanding and ranking of key content.

Building credibility and trust signals was another key component of the campaign and has been the bulk of our hands-on fulfilment. We have secured high-value tactical backlinks, driving niche relevance and authority in targeted market niches. Our tactics have been varied, including digital PR enhancements, outreach, content marketing, guidance on the creation of backlink magnet content, and advice on the integration of SEO into broader marketing.

Through a meticulous blend of technical SEO, content strategy, and link-building, we have helped Corney & Barrow strengthen their position as a digital leader in both the fine wine investment space and the premium retail wine market—in both the UK and Hong Kong—ensuring they remain the go-to choice for discerning wine enthusiasts.

Project results.

Our international SEO strategy has delivered remarkable results, cementing Corney & Barrow’s position as a leading fine wine merchant in both the UK and Hong Kong markets. In Hong Kong, their share of voice has expanded dramatically, with the majority of their priority keywords now ranking in the top 10—making them far more visible to collectors and connoisseurs in this key region.

In the UK, organic traffic has more than doubled within the first two years of our campaign, with a significant increase in high-ranking keywords driving sustained growth. By optimizing technical performance, strengthening content authority, and executing a strategic link-building campaign, we have helped Corney & Barrow dominate search across both fine wine investment and premium everyday wine segments.

This transformation has not only boosted online sales but has also reinforced Corney & Barrow’s digital presence as a trusted source for the world’s most exceptional wines—ensuring their centuries-old legacy thrives in the modern era.

• 2918% more share of voice in Hong Kong
• 72% of KPI keywords ranking top 10 in Hong Kong
• 224% organic traffic growth in the UK in 2 years
• 235% more keywords in the top 10 in the UK

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