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.