2011 February / March feature on Vineyards
In the first of our monthly features on independent shops and businesses in Sherborne, find out more about Sherborne’s independent wine shop, Vineyards.
A first glance at Vineyards shop window might make you think that someone’s been having a very good time in there with corks piling high up the window pane. The feeling continues as you walk inside, with glistening bottles set in deep, warm wood, there are a couple of leather chairs that just seem waiting for you to sit down and savour that special red you’ve been waiting to try. Indeed, this is what Vineyards is all about, aimed at people who mind what they drink by people who care passionately about what they sell.
Vineyards was opened in June 2005 by Hannah Wilkins who by then, aged just 25, had already worked for 7 years in the mass market wine and alcohol business. She now has over 12 years in the business and has an Advanced Certificate from the Wines & Spirits Education Trust, whilst on track to get her Diploma. Hannah’s two colleagues are also qualified and they all share a passion about wine, with each one focussing on particular personal preferences. “I’m quite traditional in my tastes,” explains Hannah. “I tend to prefer dry, crisp white wines, plus clarets and definitely champagne, but between the three of us we can talk about all of the wines that we stock and most of those we don’t stock!”
Having an independent business means that Vineyards is fleet of foot and is able to change wines very quickly according to emerging trends. It also means that the shop is able to stock a wide range of independent wines from single estates and even family-produced wines - unlike the big chains or supermarkets.
Hannah and her colleagues use three basic questions when trying to advise customers:
Do you have a country preference?
What is your price range?
Do you like your wine lighter or heavier?
Everybody’s taste buds are different but the Vineyards staff feel they have a good knowledge of their customers’ tastes and try to buy with this in mind. They run an occasional series of wine tastings for new and existing customers and in July Vineyards organises an extremely popular and thriving Wine Fair featuring their most popular suppliers in the grounds of Sherborne Castle.
Hannah has faced a few challenges in setting up Vineyards: at first, as a female, she encountered quite a bit of scepticism about her knowledge but this has melted away as she has amply demonstrated her enduring passion and knowledge on this subject; the second misconception was to do with price but Vineyards stocks bottles ranging from £4 to £100+. “However,” Hannah adds “we do believe in quality and are not prepared to sell some of the very cheap wines of dubious fabrication. In fact, since the recession we’ve been busier than usual as people tend to stay in more, but want a nicer wine. There seems to be less interest in quantity than quality.”
Vineyards is certainly a place where you’ll find a passion for what is sold, a huge depth of knowledge on the subject and straightforward, honest recommendations. It’s all about the customer…take a seat in this comfy leather armchair!
Further information from www.vineyardsofsherborne.co.uk