Philip Addis
My introduction to wines was via Direct Wines and The Sunday Times Wine Club but in 1983 I set out to survive by buying wines I liked from people I liked, and hoping that people around Bath liked me and the wines enough to buy them!
Over 25 years later and team of 20-odd great people, I feel extremely lucky to have been buying wines at a time that has seen so many changes and improvements.
Most importantly, as the company has evolved and grown, I have had a different job every few years: from driver, packer, warehouseman and salesman, to director! I have also met some fantastic people - both winemakers and customers, and travelled all over the world.
Oh, and in between found time to fall in love with and marry Sara, and have two wonderful daughters, Charlotte and Francesca who, along with the three dogs and two horses, keep me pretty busy outside work.
I feel that I can't have favourites, and I am genuinely proud of all our wine selections.
Richard Lecoche Corporate Sales and Private Customer Sales Manager
After a decade at Great Western Wine my passion for all things vinous is as undiminished as ever! Every year offers new and exciting opportunities to access wines from an ever-changing world of boutique, smaller scale wine producers and wine regions, alongside helping to develop a really terrific business. I make sure we are offering the best wines, promotions and service possible through our Bath shop, website, mail-order and to our corporate customers; which also allows me to use plenty of the skills learnt from my degree in Industrial Economics from Nottingham University.
After hours I love to travel, especially if it involves a wine region! Recent trips have taken me to Australia, New Zealand and Canada - and some of my favourite wines come from these countries: Carrick Pinot Noir from Central Otago, New Zealand - delicious, dense, cherry and dark chocolate flavours; drink with roast lamb for the perfect combination; Harewood Estate Sauvignon Blanc Semillon blend, from Western Australia’s Great Southern region, complete with crunchy, flinty gooseberry fruit and a delicate lick of honey from the Semillon.
Alan Nordberg Shop Manager
I grew up in Twickenham - the heart of Rugby Union - and have now lived in Bath - the nose of Rugby - for 25 years. After studying Typography at the London College of Printing, I joined Oddbins in Richmond and discovered the wine trade was very much to my taste.
Oddbins sent me to Oxford and Cheltenham, after which I joined Majestic and their store in Brislington. I joined Great Western Wine in 1990; I tried leaving a couple of times to try new things but it never quite worked and I have come to the conclusion that wine is my true career. The rest is history!
For many years I sang the blues with a local band in Bath - you will still hear my favourite tunes rolling gently round the shop. Away from (in my opinion) the best wine shop in the UK I’m happiest with either a fishing rod or a snooker cue in hand! Favourite wines include white Burgundy, Sauternes and top red Burgundy.
Edward Mercer Private Customer Sales
My interest in wine was sparked by my local merchant when I was at school in Lancashire, a fantastic cellar of a place called D. Byrne and Co of Clitheroe - now, I am pleased to say, customers of GWW.
During a business degree at Northumbria University, an industrial placement took me to Seagram Distillers to work in global marketing for Chivas Brothers. I returned there for a stint post university but left the corporate high life and moved to Bath and into the wine industry with Great Western Wine. Now more than four years later I am working with private clients, as well as on projects relating to the website and general retail marketing. My interests besides wine include running, skiing and good food.
Favourite wines of the moment are the sumptuously rural 'le prestige' Cahors from Chateau du Cèdre; citrusy elegant Monte Tondo Soave Classico; and the seriously delicious old vine Carignan from biodynamic producer Domaine des Prés-Lasses.
Tom King Private Customer Sales and Fine Wine
My role at Great Western Wine is to monitor and research the fine wine market, and to advise customers and colleagues on what to buy and what to sell. Consequently, I'm actively involved in the buying team, as well as keeping everyone informed of new developments with e-mail updates that I'm told are fun to read. I also have the onerous responsibility of tasting thousands of wines, both here and in the cellars of overseas suppliers.
With a decade's experience in the wine trade in both the USA and UK, and an Oxford degree, I expected the WSET Diploma in Wines and Spirits to be a breeze. I was wrong - it's a serious challenge. IF I pass, I MAY think about tackling the Master of Wine qualification. Perhaps.
Flavours of the moment: I'm a big fan of the Riesling 'Smaragd' from Machherndl - dry but gentle, with a peacock's tail of flavours. As 'Fine Wine Specialist', I am obliged to enjoy claret, so I commend to you the uniquely lovely Château La Tourette; I defy you to find another Pauillac at such a reasonable price with as much finesse allied to concentration. My affordable pleasures include the deliciously pure Garnachas (both red and pink) from Cruz de Piedra.
Vicki WheelerRetail Sales
I grew up in Somerset and went to Frome Community College. 8 GCSEs later I went to the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham to study Event Management and associated tourism and hospitality topics. With that under my belt I took off round the world and along the way spent eight months as a vineyard assistant in New Zealand.
And so began my love affair with wine, nurtured through joining Great Western Wine in September 2010 and encouraged by completing the WSET Intermediate Course with Merit. I try to speak Spanish, Italian and German and I shall hope to improve all three with visits to other vineyards in the coming years.
My other loves are outdoor sports – ski-ing, snowboarding, watersports – and socialising, whether with old friends or making completely new ones.
I have been asked to list my favourite wines – such a difficult thing to do because not only am I still exploring the Great Western Wine list but the recent integration with Enotria has suddenly presented me with a few more to try !
However, here goes.......
River Farm Sauvignon Blanc - a great example of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, stunning elderflower and citrus fruit characteristics, which makes it a truly enjoyable glass of wine.
Heartland Stickleback Red - I love the complexity of flavours in this red, to be drunk with a meal or sitting by the fire on a cold winter evening.
Vistalba Corte B and C - rich and full-bodied reds, to be enjoyed with dinner but is also complemented by cheese.
Santo Stefano, Prosecco, Ruggeri - what girl doesn’t enjoy a glass of sparkling?! Deliciously fruity with hints of green apple and enjoyed as an aperitif.
Kate RobinsonRetail Sales
Waiting on Kate's Biography! She is busy tasting wines to recommend!
Brendan TudorWarehouse and Distribution
I graduated in Business and Leisure in 1996 and moved to Bath to work in event management. I ended up as beverage manager at a local hotel and then a city centre wine bar before being recruited to GWW. Soon after I became deputy warehouse and distribution manager. Having gained the WSET certificate and taken courses in warehouse safety, first aid and forklift operation I now take responsibility for the department in Stewart Taylor’s absence, and annually manage our off site corporate gift packing operation, as well as working closely with our third party couriers throughout the year.
West Brook Sauvignon - great example of my favourite grape! Fresh, zesty and well balanced cool climate wine.
Vistalba Corte A, B or indeed C! - very unusual tasting gang of smooth velvety reds. A must try for any red wine lover, with or without food.
Oak Valley Chardonnay (when someone else pays!) - deep, rich and buttery wine that fully reflects its price every time!
Stewart RanshawWarehouse and Distribution
I joined the warehouse team about 7 years ago and have been Stewart Taylor's assistant manager for the past three years. Great Western Wine is an ideal place for me to improve my wine knowledge, and I am constantly impressed by the number of new wines coming into the market, particularly from the Southern Hemisphere.
My other main hobby is running - marathons, half marathons, any distance to keep fit! I live with my partner Laura, and a large collection of animals.
My three favourite wines are
West Brook Sauvignon from New Zealand.
Château Larose Perganson, Haut Médoc Cru Bourgeois, and
Menetou Salon from the Loire Valley.
Tim PeytonWarehouse and Distribution
I was fortunate enough to join Great Western Wine just before the sinking ship that was First Quench (Threshers, Wine Rack) finally sunk. Having long been a customer of Great Western Wine, I was aware of the quality on offer here and am now privileged to be a part of it.
Prior to working in the wine trade, I completed an English degree at UWE and retain an interest in literature. Other passions include music, football and nature.
It’s almost impossible to single out three wines from the hundreds of gems that vie for my attention at the end of a shift however, here are some current favourites.
Domaine de Nizas Carignan Vieilles Vignes - fantastic nose of lavender and garrigue, with great length and concentration on the palate. Shows what this grape can do in the right hands.
Charbonnière Vacqueyras - Lovely raspberry Grenache fruit with warming southern spice and charm a-plenty.
Cornas Vieilles Vignes, Alain Voge - superb wine. Opens up to reveal bags of savoury character – black pepper, cloves and lovely meaty, smokey, northern Rhône Syrah fruit.
Nick StylesWarehouse and Distribution
Before joining Great Western Wine I had experience in wine retailing with Oddbins and before that worked in the kitchens at Lucknam Park and The Olive Tree. In my spare time I like to escape to the country to relax.
My current favourite wines are Marronniers Chablis - with its elegance and subtle complexity.
Chalkers Crossing Semillon - delicious, richly flavoured, with a refreshing lemony finish.
Bogle Chenin Blanc - excellent balance and weight; really good.
Dan WatkissWarehouse and Distribution
Born in Bath, grew up in Wiltshire. After completing my A levels I worked in various restaurants and then went travelling around South America, where I ended up staying for a year or so. I began to set up an export business in Argentina but they weren't too keen on that and asked me to leave, so I moved to Seville (Spain) to teach English in a language school.
When I returned to the UK, I joined the civil service but after a few years decided that Great Western Wine would be more interesting, and I was right! I am really enjoying learning about the wines and am a keen 'Winebibber'.
My current favourites are Vistalba Corte C and Heartland Dolcetto + Lagrein.
Accounts
Our accounts function is now managed from Enotria head office in Park Royal, London NW10.
If you have any queries regarding invoices, statements or payments, please email Claire Brown at c.brown@greatwesternwine.co.uk or call her on 020 8963 4264.
© 2012 Great Western Wine
Wells Road, Bath, BA2 3AP
Part of Enotria Winecellars Ltd
Registered in England: 1071904
