The Vintner opens for business

Boutique wine company The Vintner launches on the Fulham Road, London, this week.

Owned by Tom Gilbey, the company is keen to keep its list as succinct and affordable as possible, with no wine selling at more than £25 including VAT.

The Vintner will supply to private customers, restaurants such as Sophie’s Steakhouse and Rick Stein’s Seafood Restaurant in Padstow, catering companies, bars and clubs.

Although The Vintner doesn’t have a shop front, the company’s entire range is available to buy online.

“I tasted no fewer than 1,600 wines to arrive at the 76 currently on the list," said Gilbey. "Highlights include a St Veran from Julien Collovray – a dead ringer for a Meursault, our Barbera Superiore from Claudio Viberti, and the wines of Archangel in Central Otago."

If a private customer orders 36 bottles or more, they get the same prices as wholesale buyers and free delivery in Hugo, The Vintner’s mobile tasting van.  

The company will host two tastings a month for members of the soon-to-launch Vintner Wine Club, and will run one-off wine events from corporate tastings to winemaker dinners.

“The Vintner is all about great wine presented in an easy and fun manner. I taste over a hundred wines a week to ensure that ours are the best on the market. If I feel there’s a weak link anywhere, we’ll delist the wine instantly”, said Gilbey.

“Our main list will never be more than 100 wines, 99% of which are imported directly from the makers. Our fine wine list will never exceed 10, and all the wines will be ready for drinking."

Lucy Shaw, 14.02.2011