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 Stratford-upon-Avon tends to be somewhat overwhelmed in Summer with all the tourists visiting Shakespeare’s home town on the banks of the River Avon. But behind the touristy facade there are many gems – one of which is a relatively new independent wine merchant in Henley Street – Vinology.
At first look this place looks to be a bit more of a boutique than a traditional wine shop – but the stylish display reveals some very interesting wines and a great selection of whiskies!
The idea behind Vinology as an independent Wine & Spirit Merchant was conceived by Matt Cowan and Mark Archer, two individuals with considerable experience and knowledge of the wine and spirit world who both share a love for great wine and quality spirits. The aim of Vinology is to share its knowledge and passion to create an independent drinks company that offers an innovative collection of some of the finest wines, whiskies and other spirits available on the current market.
Vinology is far more than just an exceptional drinks shop, it aims to develop the palate and knowledge of its customers through tutored tastings of fine wine and whiskies, often presented by the leading lights of the wine and whisky world.
Vinology continually sources wines from small independent family-run producers who offer high quality, interesting wines that provide a far more exciting wine experience compared to the bland, mass-produced brands ubiquitous to so many retailers’ shelves.
The Whiskies selected are sourced from forward-thinking distilleries and independent bottlers that provide a range of interesting expressions that will both seduce the connoisseur and tempt the willing enthusiast novice.
No online ordering is a disappointment. although you can download a wine list – yet there are Twitter feeds available.
Regular tastings of both wine and whiskies are offered, although they tend to be in the context of a good meal in a local restaurant, so it can be a pricey evening before you purchase anything. Certainly worth a little detour.
| September 15, 2010 | | 7:30 pm |
In the southwest London suburb of Wimbledon you will find Revelstoke Wines. . With a wide range of interesting wines from most of the wine producing regions of the World, a proper shop and online ordering (trade and retail), tastings and delivery the team led by Richard Household makes a fairly comprehensive offering.
Where ever possible we source our wines directly from the vineyard in which they were produced. This enables us to offer some truly unique wines as well as giving us the chance to form close relationships with the winemakers and Chateau owners themselves.
Why do we do it? We do this through choice: because we love discovering, tasting and bringing new wines to our customers….
There is a winemaker tasting dinner by Australian Ben Glaetzer from the Barossa Valley on 15 September 2010.
However, the online offering is a little disappointing – the on-line ordering system is a bit clunky. and the website is not uo-to-date – e.g. the News and Offers Section only refers to “Autumn 2009 newsletter coming soon”! Its always a little disappointing when the online offering is less than exciting – but I would always prefer a great selection of wines and knowledgeable passion about those wines to a fancy website with mediocre wines and poor service.
Revelstoke Wine, 76 Durham Road, West Wimbledon, London SW20 0TL
t: 020 8879 1810 e: orders@revelstoke.co.uk
 Taurus Wines, in leafy Surrey, has a focus on providing wines and champagnes for parties and celebrations in Surrey and Sussex.
However, the wine list is not dominated by cheap plonk, but a good selection of reasonably priced wines and fizz from the main wine producing countries of the World. And discounts are on offer for 6 or more bottles of several Champagnes.
The “party” element is more about a Party/Celebration service – delivery and collection, ice boxes (“Eskies”) and loan of decent glasses – all things which can male life so much easier for the hosts!
The team has wide experience in the wine trade and should be able to provide you with decent advice, whether it is for an odd bottle in the shop or for planning a big bash!
In October and November 2010 they hold a number of tastings around the county: – ”
For our winter shows we have more-or-less the same wines open at each tasting and will have a mix of over 50 champagnes, wines, ports and the odd sherry for you to try. All the tastings run from 6.30pm to 10pm.” The first one is in Bramley, Surrey on 15 October 2010 - see details
There are some good tasting notes and some vineyard profiles which ate very helpful – and navigating the site is easy with a variety of menu options. With a proper shop and online ordering available this could be the place to look! The only element we could not discern was the rationale for the wines selected, as it looks to be more than “wines good for parties”!
Our wine is stored in a 17th century cowshed – hence the name Taurus (the Bull). The Cowshed is made from cotswold stone and has walls a foot thick, this means the perfect cool conditions for cellaring wine.Our shop itself (The Old cart House) is over 400 years old and is well worth a visit – there is more than ample free parking, and we normally have a bottle or two open for you to try.
Taurus Wines, The Old Cart House, Whipley Manor, PALMERS CROSS, Bramley, GUILDFORD,Surrey,GU5 0LL
t: 01483 54 84 84 e: rupert@tauruswines.co.uk
| September 16, 2010 | | 7:30 pm |
 Vin Neuf (new wine) is a family-run independent wine merchant in the heart of Shakespeare’s home town – although the business is not as “new” as the name suggests:
Vin Neuf Limited, launched in April 2002, is a family run independent wine merchants supplying to the restaurant trade as well as retail customers.
July 2006 saw the opening of our first retail shop in Stratford-upon-Avon. The shop benefits not only in being positioned in the centre of the town but we are fortunate to have a unique cellar and tasting forum. For those of you who are unable to visit the shop but like the look of our wines,
The selection of wines looks really interesting – e.g some nice wines from Portugal as well as most of the other main wine-producing countries of both New and Old World.
Vin Neuf strives to offer more a interesting and carefully selected range of wines, many of which are not necessarily more expensive. Although we maintain our focus on wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon (and neighbouring regions) we also have a very healthy portfolio of other wines from around the globe
Online ordering and a proper shop make this an interesting proposition supplemented by regular tastings – e.g Chablis Laroche presented by Anne Roche on on 16 September 2010.
Vin Neuf Wine Merchants, Union Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 6QT
t: 01789 261 747 e: info@vinneuf.co.uk
 An elegant and impressive website for Great Western Wines in Bath – a good balance between stylish design and an extensive wine list from all the usual suspects including Uruguay and Austria.
For 25 years Great Western Wine has sought out distinctive, hand-crafted wines direct from independent and very individual winemakers at ‘boutique’ estates right across the world, to provide a unique wine drinking experience. Combining modern winemaking whilst retaining a real sense of place, these handcrafted wine are sold throughout the UK to discerning private customers and many of the country’s leading restaurants and independent wine merchants, as well as the corporate and business gift sector.
Navigation through the site is simple and instinctive – choose by country/region or – detailed and useful information on each wine – order online, by telephone or in the retail shop. In fact, this is one of the most impressive offerings we have seen for some time – full marks to Great Western Wine!
Great Western Wine Company, Unit 3-4. Wells Road Bath, BA2 3AP
t: 01225 322800 e: wine@greatwesternwine.co.uk.
| September 16, 2010 | | 7:00 pm | | October 14, 2010 | | 7:00 pm | | November 18, 2010 | | 7:00 pm |
 In the shadow of Romsey Abbey in Hampshire are the premises of Heaton Wines, who claim to be “Hampshire’s most cultured independent wine merchant!” With a useful online presence at www.mywinemerchant.co.uk. the focus in mainly on France, but also includes wines and spirits from around the world. Burgundy and Armagnac look to be particular strengths.
Heaton Wines was set up on the premise that the choice of good-quality wines at reasonable cost was ever being eroded but that this need not be the case.Heaton Wines is therefore passionate in providing its customers with variety and diversity and offers individual wines of character and distinction.Although Heatons obtains its wines from a number of sources, it prefers to buy directly from the producer and, in particular, from small independent producers. This allows it to offer wines that are not generally available in the United Kingdom, wines that are hand-crafted by conscientious producers and wines that are definitely full of character – and often stunning.
Free open tastings are on offer most Saturdays in the shop (coming up are Chablis, Budget Bordeaux, Beaujolais) and there is also a series of monthly “Discovery Tastings” (£10 a ticket) held midweek at King John’s House in Romsey – e.g on 16 September 2010: Producer Tasting – Vignobles Alain Château (St-Émilion & Anjou); 14 October 2010: Les Femmes des Vignes; 18 November 2010: Côte de Nuits.
It all looks to be well worth a visit – only a few miles north of Southampton and a short detour from the M27 if you are passing through the region. They also boast an “Honest Pricing Charter” which offers some reassurance of transparecy in pricing.
Heaton Wines, 35 Church Street, Romsey, Hants SO51 8BT
t: 01794 830 330 e:info@heaton-wines.com
 Down in the deep south of England I came across an independent wine merchant called Caviste (the French for “cellarman”) which boasts 4 branches in Stockbridge, Overton, Odiham (in Hampshire) and Hungerford in Berkshire. Caviste was established in 2003 by winemaker David Thomas, originally under the name of The Cellar Door.
Caviste’s constantly evolving wine list celebrates the small, independent producer, with many wines discovered whilst in the vineyards of the world’s most exciting wine regions. With wines open for tasting throughout the week, often with visiting winemakers and producers at weekends, as well as tutored tastings and educational courses throughout the year, Caviste’s calendar of events captures the enjoyment and excitement of wine.
The whole thing looks both comprehensive and stylish, suitable for an affluent area such as this – but this is primarily an off-line wine merchant – no on-line ordering and although you can download a pdf version of the wine list, there is no additional info on the winemakers or wines – so unless you know exactly what you are looking for then a visit to one of the four branches is required.
CAVISTE OVERTON: No.9 Winchester Street, Overton, Hampshire, RG25 3HR t. 01256 770397
CAVISTE STOCKBRIDGE: Jasmine House, High Street, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6HB t. 01264 811123
CAVISTE ODIHAM: Newlyns Farm Shop, Lodge Farm, nr Odiham, Hampshire, RG29 1HA t. 01256 703130
CAVISTE HUNGERFORD: 108 High Street, Hungerford, Berkshire, RG17 0NB t. 01488 684684
info@caviste.co.uk www.caviste.co.uk
 Based north of Newcastle-upon-Tyne at Ponteland, MIchael Jobling runs his respected wine business with an excellent website for on-line ordering. No bricks and mortar shop to browse through – although there are several tastings each year in the heart of Newcastle.
We are a small family business run by Michael Jobling and his niece, Torie Jackson. Based in the North East but with a national distribution, we began in 1988 with a modest 45 wines and a hopeful list of friends and acquaintances. Michael had previously worked as a management accountant in the motor trade but - either because of or despite this - developed an all-absorbing interest in wines. Throwing caution to the wind, he gave up the day job to concentrate on what he realised he liked best; discovering wines of interest, value and originality. We have now grown our wine stock to a carefully chosen but eclectic list of around 300.Torie joined the growing business in 1996, having previously worked for the National Trust. She has worked her way through all ‘sectors’ of the company - sales, deliveries, office administration, accounts, sourcing and buying - developing her wine palate under Michael’s tutelage along the way. Today, although the division of work is fairly fluid, Torie is more often to be found in the office and dealing with customers (a role she combines with bringing up three children and a farmer husband) while Michael is more often out on the road, in charge of wine ordering, deliveries, restaurant customers, and talks and tastings. Wine selection is a team effort.We specialise in finding interesting wines from smaller growers as well as sourcing good value wines from the larger producers.
A combination of youth and experience seems to work well, with many reliable fine wines on the list interspersed with some interesting and keenly-priced wines from smaller producers and less-familiar regions. The whole approach seems very unstuffy, and I particularly liked the “why use us section” – a good mantra for good independent wine merchants everywhere!:
We like to keep things simple
We don’t sell wines that we would not drink ourselves.
We don’t stock wines that you would find in big multiples or supermarkets. Ours are often from small producers - interesting, different, good value, unexpected.
We don’t expect you to be a wine expert (that’s our job) but we don’t mind if you are.
We don’t sell you a more expensive wine if a cheaper one fits your brief.
We don’t expect you to invite us in for a glass of wine, but we don’t mind if you do (only joking!).
Michael Jobling Wines Limited, PO Box 90, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne NE20 0WZ
t: 01913 784 554
e: info@michaeljoblingwines.com
 A polished website and a substantial wine list welcome you to Richard Granger Wines in Jesmond, Newcastle on Tyne.
Established in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1970, we are an independent firm of wine merchants supplying top quality wines and providing a first class service to the UK mainland via an efficient 2 working day delivery service. Local deliveries are usually carried out within 24 hours by our own delivery vans.
Our small but highly professional team is fronted by Alastair Stewart & Mark Rennie who between them have more than 65 years experience in the drinks’ industry.
The wine list runs to over 600 wines from both small independent winemakers to some of the bigger names in the business = the prices look reasonable, and they have a real shop so deal with real customers as well as an on-line presence.
Richard Granger, West Jesmond Station, Lyndhurst Avenue, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 3HH
t : 0191 2815000
e : sales@richardgrangerwines.co.uk
 Its always sad to see an indpendent wine merchant close – on this ocassion its the Bristol Wine Company we have to bid farewell to!
Each lost merchant dimishes choice and variety for consumers, but with the recession, a poor exchange rate and aggressive pricing from supermarkets etc., it is not surprising that some merchants will struggle,
The only good news is that you may be able to pick up some bargains!
A massive thank you to all the customers of The Bristol Wine Company for all your business over the past decade. You are all doubtless aware by now that we did not survive the recession. However there is one final opportunity to purchase wines, beers and spirits from the liquidated stocks. Prices are rock bottom and a minimum purchase of 12 bottles (9Litres) is required although this can be mixed. Stock will have to be collected from Wrington and must be paid for by either cheque or cash. Cheques must be accompanied by a cheque guarantee card and are payable to The Bristol Wine Company. If you would like a list of available stock then forward your name, email address and evening telephone number to E:jon.king@tbwc.co.uk
The Bristol Wine Company
Transom House, Victoria Street, Bristol, BS1 6AH. Tel: 0117 373 0288
www.thebristolwinecompany.co.uk
Opening times
Monday to Friday 10.00am to 7.00pm Saturday 10.00am to 6.00pm Sunday closed
Stocks are limited and are on a first come first served basis. Regretably the website looks to have closed already!
 We have recently updated our UK map of Independent Wine Merchants on Google.
This does not claim to be comprehensive, and some merchants are on-line only – so you may not be able to visit, but might benefit from cheaper local delivery arrangements – we always suggest a phone call before making a special journey to check what arrangements or opening times may be.
Many also offer tastings, either at their base or in other venues. We would always recommend merchants who are knowledgeable and enthusiastic – a tasting or a chat with the merchant will usually help to make the right choices.
The map features specialist wine merchants, although some have cleverly included gourmet foods or delicatessen or even a café or wine bar.
If you know of a good local independent specialist wine merchant or a good wine bar let us know and we will try to include them, which might help other wine lovers to discover them, support their business and help to stem the tide of big brands and big supermarkets and chains which dominate the market. SUGGEST A WINE MERCHANT/WINE BAR
View the map
 Having craftily bagged the web address of www.thewinecompany.co.uk/, the people at Colchester Wine Company in Essex have developed an attractive and easy-to-navigate online wine merchant site. With a wide range of wines on offer, especially from France and Australia, Italy, Spain and New Zealand – there is bound to be something of interest to most palates.
We are a family owned wine merchants with over 150 years of wine industry experience. As such, our dedicated and knowledgeable staff are happy to provide answers to all your questions about wine purchase, enjoyment and storage. We are possibly one of the most diverse wine merchants offering a wide range of wine related services including wines for weddings, corporate events and advice on gift buying, investment and cellar management.
Delivery is offered nationwide (£7.99 for orders below £200) prepared by their grandly-named “specialist in-house fulfilment team”, but for locals (and visitors from further away) there is also a real shop – “Our retail premises at Gosbecks Park, Colchester is arguably the greatest wine shop in the country” – an abitious claim but you can take a virtual tour of the shop online to verify the statement – it looks very atmospheric and well-stocked. Definitely worth a visit and/or a detour I suspect.
Regular tastings are also on offer, such as the Colchester Wine Challenge : France v The New World on 30 July 2010.
The Colchester Wine Company, Gosbecks Park, Colchester, Essex CO2 9JT
t:01206 713560 E: sales@thewinecompany.co.uk
New to us is www.wearewines.co.uk, an online independent wine merchant based in the East Midlands.
 we stock some of the good, the great and the truly awesome wines available; we hope we have created a simple, sleek, easy to use website for you; wehave a great selection of gifts for you and can decorate each gift pack to make them extra special; we have dozens of fantastic case offers available every month.; a variety of wines from a variety of countries – you choose!;we offer you great competitions, discovery cases, and the opportunity to enjoy winery holidays.
The range of wines looks to be extensive acrosss both New and Old Worlds, but there does not appear to be a specific specialisation or rationale behind the choice of bottles. Many big, familiar reliable names will be found. The site looks easy to navigate – but personally I would prefer to know who is beind this site and what their “passions” are. For independent wine merchants to prosper they need to differentiat themselves from the supermarkets andhigh-street chains – I wish wearewines.co.uk well – their facebook, twitter feeds and competitions should help
wearewines.co.uk
Unit D, Fauld Ind estate, Fauld, Tutbury Burton on trent
enquiries@wearewines.co.uk
| June 11, 2010 | to | June 12, 2010 |
Adnams, the respected East Anglian brewer, hotel keeper and independent wine merchant hosts a free tasting weekend on 11/12 June 2010 – AND is also offering a chance to win a superb holiday on a South African vineyard estate (after the World Cup)
 Win a wine lover’s dream holiday to South Africa
Buy any 12 bottles of South African wine
to be entered into a draw to win a five-night stay for two people at the beautiful Seidelberg Estate
vineyard in Paarl.
For more info see Adnams Cellar & Kitchen
4 Drayman Square,Victoria Street, Southwold, Suffolk IP18 6G
Other branches in Suffolk, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Essex and in Richmond, West London.
Buy any 12 bottles of South African wine
to be entered into a draw to win a five-night stay for two people at the beautiful Seidelberg Estate
vineyard in Paarl.
The Oxford Wine Company has been established for many years at Standlake, near Witney in Oxfordshire. But the company is now working on opening a new store in Oxford itself in July 2010 – claiming to be the only Independant Wine Merchant within easy reach of central Oxford!
 The shop will have a tasting bar for customers to try before they buy and regular promotions and customer tastings will take place on the premises. Our full and extensive range of wines and spirits will be stocked and the shop will also feature a Fine Wine section where one can peruse classic wines from around the world.
The shop will be at 165 Botley Road, Oxford OX2 0PB – near to PC World and Currys and just off the Western/Southern Bypass and the A34.
It is surprising that a city such as Oxford, with its many colleges and an outwardly prosperous population does not support more independent wine merchants. Stevens Garnier, who are predominantly a wine importing agency, does have a retail shop also in Botley (47 West Way, Botley, Oxford OX2 0JF) – and to my mind that still qualifies them as an independent, in that they are not owned or controlled by another company which would restrict its choice of wines or suppliers.
Oxford Wine Company, Standlake, Witney, Oxon OX29 7PR
T: 01865 301144 E:john@oxfordwine.co.uk
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