The Hancocks name traces its origins back to 1859 when Thomas Hancock purchased the Captain Cook Inn in Khyber Pass Road Newmarket. Hancocks originally started life as a brewer and publican. The company went through many changes in its first 100 years, including the manufacture and distribution of spirits. Over the course of years the company changed names several times with the core of the company being the basis of what we now know as Lion Breweries.

It was in the early 1980's that the name Hancocks re-surfaced operating as a retailer, on-premise distributor, ships provider and a business house supplier based in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Towards the end of the 1980's, the business had been down sized to a point that the Auckland site at Victoria Park was the only remaining going concern.

In 1991 Glengarry Wines, a prominent Fine Wine Retail business owned by the Jakicevich Family and the Hancocks Wines and Spirits business owned by Lion Nathan merged, forming a new company Glengarry Hancocks Ltd. Today Hancocks is 100% New Zealand Family Owned & Operated by the Jakicevich family.

Through the 1990's the portfolio of wine and spirit agencies has grown, building on the strong foundation as distributor for many fine New Zealand wine companies including Brookfields Vineyards and Sacred Hill Winery. On the 1st August 1999 the liquor distribution business was set up on its own under the Hancocks name. Now Trading as Hancocks Wine and Spirit Merchants the brands operation has developed into a nationwide sales force team covering both On and Off-Premise trade.

In March 2000 Hancocks was successful in securing the Brown Forman family of products for exclusive distribution in New Zealand. The Brown Forman portfolio includes the premium products; Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Early Times Bourbon, Finlandia Vodka, Woodford Reserve Bourbon and Pepe Lopez Tequila. This success was then complemented with the Remy / Cointreau Group joining Hancocks. Their Brands include; Piper Heidsieck, Charles Heidsieck, Remy Martin Cognac, St Remy Brandy, Cointreau and Mt Gay Rum.

Hancocks are also exclusive distributors in New Zealand for many renowned local and international Brands including; Drambuie, Jagermeister, Disaronno, Tuaca and De Kuyper Liqueurs. To complement these premium spirit and liqueur brands we distribute many local & imported wine brands such as; Akarua, Allan Scott, Farmers Market Wine Company, Matawhero, Lake Chalice Wines, Stonyridge Vineyard, Waipara Hills, Yealands, Pol Roger Champagne, Pasqua, De Bortoli, Geoff Merrill, Hewitson, Wingara Wine Group, Taltarni, Torbreck, Salon Champagne and Riedel Glassware to name just a few. Today Hancocks is focused on building and growing successful brands both existing and new, increasing the effectiveness of our sales team and delivering on superior customer service.

Hancocks has an extensive wine and spirit portfolio of products to offer to both the On-Premise and Off-Premise licensed trade. Specializing in the sale of premium brands, Hancocks Wine and Spirit Merchants are one of New Zealand's leading brand marketers and distributors to the liquor industry.