About The Owner - a brief history so far

I was fortunate to grow up and spend my formative years in the winelands of South Africa with  my daily commute to school in Stellenbosch  travelling through vineyards of glorious colours ever changing with the seasons.  All this mixed together with Cape Dutch architecture, scenes of grapes being picked and swollen trailers of grapes making their way to wineries  for pressing and crushing under the shadows of the Helderberg and Simonsberg was a wonderful way to start the day and life. Our family outings and later with special old friends  were of tasting trips  to wine farms, musty cellars, tasting rooms all with their own glorious smells and ambience.  My love and appreciation of wine opened opportunities to weekend and holiday jobs on wine estates and promoting wine in local off licences, which finally led my passion of cooking , food and wine  to the catering and hospitality industry.

London, a far cry from  those earthy days  of my roots and the opportunity to  appreciate  and enjoy some of the best wines on offer as well as to work in establishments with wine lists to die for.   Faced with lists to compile.  and thanks to knowledgeable  wine merchants, some  are still  amongst my close friends and many tastings I  was able to improve, experience  and expose my palate to new wines.

 And now,  from vineyard to Moor, Exmoor, my home and family (Joe and children and a wonderful community) another beautiful place, swap vines for sheep.  A stint at The Castle Hotel in Taunton and for the last 10 years working with a real character with 50 years experience of the wine trade, learning more each day.

 Come and join us, share with us and enjoy with us.