58 years old. That’s how old Matthew Jukes was when he died suddenly this week. The wine writer, host, and entrepreneur was one of the most respected and beloved figures in the field. His close friend and colleague Libby Brodie wrote a personal tribute, recalling not just his professional achievements, but the warmth, wit, and generosity he brought to every interaction.
A friend and mentor remembered
Libby Brodie met Jukes years ago at a panel where he stood out immediately. At a time when she was the only woman in a sea of male wine experts, he approached her with enthusiasm, respect, and a question that no one else asked: “What do you think?” It wasn’t an isolated moment. Jukes made it a habit of making others feel heard, valued, and included. That was his way. No gatekeeping. No snobbery. Just a genuine interest in people and a refusal to suffer nonsense.
At trade events, Jukes was focused. He’d ignore small talk, skip the chitchat, and get straight to what needed to be done. Once he’d completed his task, he’d pivot—grinning, already planning where to drink next. And he’d pay. Always. It was part of how he operated: giving back to the industry by supporting it with his own money.
A champion of non-alcoholic wine
More recently, Jukes had taken the non-alcoholic drinks world by storm with his Jukes Cordialities. The line-up included the Believe (Tesco, £9), his personal favourite, the Jukes 8 Sparkling Rosé in a can (Cans from Waitrose, £4; bottles from jukescordialities.com, £8), and the award-winning Sparkling Collection (12 cans from jukescordialities.com, £52). These drinks earned multiple accolades and found homes in Michelin-starred restaurants. It was one more example of his ability to disrupt and delight in equal measure.
He was always ahead of the curve, whether in wine, in business, or in how he treated the people around him. His passing is a huge loss—not just for the wine world, but for all of us who knew him personally.
A life in full
At his wedding anniversary celebration, Jukes pressed a bottle of tawny port into a guest’s hands. No one realized how expensive it was until they tried to find a replacement. That kind of generosity was second nature. He lived a full life: a father, a husband, a wine writer, an entrepreneur, and a friend who never forgot to be there for others. He is gone too soon. But the world he left behind is better for having had him in it.