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The Wine Barn marks 25 years with rare wine masterclass

The Wine Barn celebrates 25 years with its annual London portfolio tasting on 3 February. Iris Ellmann tells Sophie Arundel about changing perceptions of German wine, the challenges of specialist importing, and what’s next for the business.

German wine specialist The Wine Barn is celebrating its 25th anniversary with its annual portfolio tasting in London on 3 February. The event will feature all 15 of its exclusive winemakers, alongside an intimate masterclass showcasing exceptionally rare wines, including a Spätlese from 1934.

The tasting, taking place at the Royal Army and Navy Club on Pall Mall, will give trade professionals the opportunity to sample 120 wines from across The Wine Barn’s portfolio. A select group of 14 sommeliers will also have access to a sit-down masterclass, featuring rare bottles such as a 1934 Spätlese from Schloss Reinhartshausen, a 1971 Wirsching, and a 1994 BA from Bassermann-Jordan.

Iris Ellmann, who founded The Wine Barn in 2000, said she launched the business with a clear goal: “I set up The Wine Barn with the objective of changing the perception of German wine that was common at that time. This being German wine was sweet and cheap and of low quality.”

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Making change

Having grown up in Germany’s Rhineland, where her parents had an extensive wine collection, Ellmann was struck by the difference between the wines available in the UK and those she knew from home. “The German wines that were available here at the time had nothing to do with what we drank at home. It was misrepresented,” she explained.

Determined to change this, she spent a year travelling Germany, selecting producers that reflected the dry Riesling and Spätburgunder styles she wanted to introduce to the UK. “We were the first in the market to do so and I started with the Michelin guide book. My first three clients were The Fat Duck, Ronan Sayburn at Gordon Ramsay and Gérard Basset.”

Since then, the German wine category has grown significantly in the UK, with increased competition following The Wine Barn’s success. However, Ellmann remains committed to the specialist approach that has sustained the business for 25 years. “I still sell with a passion because I believe in the elegance and brilliant quality of our wines,” she said.

Despite the challenges faced by independent importers, Ellmann is confident in the future. “After 25 years where we managed to survive all challenges thrown in our way, I am very proud of what we have achieved. I will continue to sell for another 25 years or until I am wrinkly, as long as there are open-minded sommeliers who want to buy from a specialist merchant who does this job with love as the motivator and passion as fuel.”

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