Meet Tom Gilbey, Founder & Sales Director

The Vintner is my concept & it allows me to indulge my love for wine on weekdays & weekends - that's buying it, talking about it, selling it & tasting it, NOT drinking it (all the time).

Favourite wine moment - Opening a bottle of Gevrey Chambertin 1985 by Domaine Leroy at my desk just before the millennium.

Favourite meal - Seafood Madras at the Seafood Restaurant in Padstow this summer. Extraordinary flavours and a meal I'll never forget.

Favourite place - Bryher on the Isles of Scilly. A better injection for the soul I've yet to find.

Meet Julia Beran, Managing Director

I like to meddle in several departments at the Vintner, keeping everyone in line, making sure the figures add up, and ensuring our customers are happy and smiling.

Favourite wine moment - Anytime I drink Archangel Pinot Gris 2012, most memorably drunk overlooking stunning Lake Wanaka.

Favourite meal - The Angel Inn in Hetton eating new season lamb washed down with Crozes-Hermitage.

Favourite place - I am at my happiest sitting on the waterfront of my grandparents’ cottage in Finland soaking up the tranquillity with a glass of rosé or two. 

Meet Lucy Rutledge, Head of Client Services

I’m either in the office on the phone selling and suggesting wine, out and about in the city visiting our accounts, doing wine training sessions, going to tastings or helping out at our infamous wine challenges.

Favourite wine moment - In Meursault, Burgundy, eating duck in a cherry jus with a bottle of 1999 Bourgogne Pinot Noir by Domaine Leroy found in the cellar just for us. The nose was so perfumed I dabbed a little on my wrist to see if it would smell as good…it didn’t in the morning!

Favourite place - Salcombe, nothing beats a proper BBQ up the estuary on the beach watching the fireworks.

Meet Gavin Smith, Purchasing Manager

I help to make sure we have the best wines on our list, at the right price and always in stock. Whilst my education in wine (WSET Diploma) has helped me understand what to look for, there is nothing more important than to get out there and taste as much as possible. It’s a tough job but someone has to do it!

Favourite wine moment - Tasting Bienvenues Batard Montrachet from the tank at Jaques Carrillon’s tiny winery. The wine was utterly sublime!

Favourite place - My favourite place in the world is sitting in the courtyards of The George in Stamford on a summer's afternoon with a full Brittany platter and a glass of Sancerre.

Meet Charlie Stein, On-Trade Sales

My role on the good ship Vintner is to manage and grow our on-trade business. I’m also the voice behind our social media, so go on give us a tweet!

Favourite wine moment - A 1998 Côte-Rotie by Yves Cuilleron served at Le Gavroche, utterly sublime. The food wasn’t too bad either.

Favourite meal - A beach shack on Bali’s Gilli Islands, BBQ’d whole snapper that I watched being landed and brought up the beach. Washed down with an ice cold Bintang.

Favourite Place: Mother Ivey’s bay in Cornwall. Magical. 

Meet Gregory Lukowiak, Operations Manager

My job is to make sure that all our lovely customers get the right wine, at the right time and in the right place.  

Favourite meal: Hot dog and steak from Sophie's Steakhouse washed down with lot's of Coca Cola.

Favourite wine moment - I'm a driver so i don't drink! Has to be the fizzy stuff, Coca Cola! I enjoy it morning, noon & night.  

Favourite place: In our 'H' van cruising around Edinburgh with the boss.

Meet Charlotte Richards, Marketing Executive

I work on our marketing schedule to make sure that we're telling the right news to the right people at the right time!

Favourite wine moment: enjoying an incredible Chassagne Montrachet (by Bruno Colin) with a gorgeous creamy chicken dish and great company.

Favourite meal: the most incredible Middle Eastern feast in a traditional restaurant in Jordan. No idea what it was called, but the food was utterly sublime!

Favourite place: Berlin. It’s the most fun city in the world. Officially.

Meet Will Trotman, Events Manager

I spend a lot of my time out in The City meeting new people and businesses introducing our fabulous wines to them. It’s my job to make sure as many new people get to taste our wines.

Favourite wine moment: 1955 Chateau Gruaud Larose on a beautiful spring evening at the Chateau OR 2005 Clos St. Denis Grand Cru, Domaine Arlaud in Beaune. I haven’t quite decided!

Favourite meal: My last birthday with Charlie & Gavin of The Vintner. Perfect lamb at Andrew Edmonds Restaurant washed down with 1999 Chambolle Musigny by Jean-Marie Fourrier, 1996 Gruaud Larose and 2003 Climens. A great night!

Favourite place: In the middle at Market Deeping Cricket Club

Meet Pippa Gardner, Sales Representative

My role at the Vintner is to make sure that all of our wonderful customers are happy! I also make sure that our team are offering lots of great wine to you!

Favourite wine moment: Drinking chilled Provence Rose, overlooking the Cote D’Azur with my friends and family!

Favourite Place: One of my all time favourite places is Rock in Cornwall. Here, nothing is better than a Cornish Pasty and a bracing walk along the beach and up Bray Hill!

Meet Marlena Koczulap, Financial Controller

I am responsible for the Vintner’s finances, making sure the clients don't forget to pay for their wines and the numbers add up at the month end.

Favourite wine moment: The unforgettable taste of Grand Constance Muscat de Frontignan at the Groot Constantia vineyard.

Favourite meal: Grilled souvlaki with delicious olives salad and a glass of chilled Pinot Grigio always makes my day.

Favourite place: Magical sunset in Cape Town, there was everything I love: ocean, mountains and sandy beaches. A dream come true. 

Meet Rosie James, Client Services Manager

As Client Services Manager, my role is to make sure all our clients are given the best service possible! Although I am primarily rooted to the office, I can also be found visiting our wonderful accounts and running training sessions.  

Favourite wine moment: Visiting various Estates and vineyards in and around Cape Town. This included an incredible six course lunch at the Constantia Uisig Estate.

Favourite Meal: Steak frites with a bottle of claret (preferably on a ski slope!)

Favourite place: New Zealand,  particularly trekking around  Abel Tasman National Park.  

Meet Clare Gradidge, Brand Manager

I'm in charge of making The Vintner look good!

Favourite wine moment: drinking 2014 Pavillon Blanc at Château Margaux and having the pleasure of meeting the winemaker, Paul Pontallier. Hard to beat, really.

Favourite meal: Nobu, Malibu. All of it was delicious, the sun was shining and the view was not bad either.

Favourite place: Anywhere with my faithful cocker spaniel, Wilbur. 

Meet Sambrooke Spurrier, Field Sales Executive

I am the new pair of boots on the ground making sure that The Vintner’s delicious wines find their way to the right people. It’s my job to make sure our clients are happy and enthusiastic about their wines!

Favourite wine moment: Falling head over heels for Californian Chardonnays on Brighton beach.

Favourite meal: Watching the sun set at the Duck and Waffle with an utterly gorgeous bottle of Peter Michael Winery L’Espirit des Pavots and sublime company.

Favourite place: By an open fire on a rainy day.

Meet Anna Blakeston, Client Services & Sales Support

I’m still finding my feet but I’d describe my role here at the Vintner as the first voice you’ll hear on the phones, and I’m ready and waiting to take your order for our lovely wines!

Favourite wine moment: My favourite wine moment would be a 1999 Pontet-Canet in some fine summer sun a couple of years back.

Favourite meal: The tasting menu at the Andrew Fairlie Restaurant in Gleneagles – too much delicious food to mention specifically but the accompanying wine tasting really highlighted the power of a great food and wine match.

Favourite place: Buenos Aires – The people in this city know how to enjoy life better than anyone I have come across since.

Meet James Bidgood, Head of Marketing & Events

I’m responsible for making sure you know about our delicious wines.

Favourite wine moment: Discovering chilled sparkling red (and Campari) in a trattoria in Bologna. It was the perfect aperitivo to start an indulgent week away.

Favourite meal: Out of this world lamb chops at Gymkhana.

Favourite place: Any island off the coast of Thailand…endless deserted beaches.

Meet Nick Daniell, Head of Private Client Sales

I am responsible for looking after our wonderful Private Clients. Whether you are an occasional shopper or a faithful Vault Club member, I will make sure you get the perfect wines for your enjoyment. I am also here to answer any wine questions you may have; from food pairings to cellar building tips, I will happily guide you through the sometimes confusing world of wine - try me out! 

Favourite wine moment – Driving down the Route des Vins of the Côte D’Or in Burgundy in the Autumn of 2014.  Between the views of the stunning golden vineyards and all the wines we tasted at every stop, it has been an experience hard to top!

Favourite meal – A private dinner party at the Chef’s table (Henry Brosi) in the Dorchester probably takes the biscuit, but I am also easily pleased with a simple steak and chips at Hawksmoor.

Favourite place – Any secluded Mediterranean beach restaurant!