UK Wine Merchant of the Year

Putting Bakewell at the top of the UK Independents Wine Map

Wow what a week it has been. We have been inundated with the most incredible messages of support and congratuations from our amazing customers and suppliers, every message has honestly meant the world to us and we can't thank you enough!! 

So for those of you wondering what we have been up to we shall give a little outline below... 

Thursday 7th of July Sarah, Judd and Helen ventured down to London, where they met Craig one of our best wine friends for the International Wine Challenge awards at The Hurlingham Club in Putney. 

For those not familiar, The International Wine Challenge is accepted as the world's finest and most meticulously judged wine competition. The IWC UK Merchant awards recognise and reward outstanding achievements within the trade. As a team, we have been successful in the awards previously having held the Wine Merchant award for Central England in 2019 and 2020 and having won the Northern category in 2015.

So what do they look for... The awards entails a deep investigation into the independent merchants looking not only at the wine selection but also how the business works to support, and work within the community. We demonstrated how we work both with the general public, through their retail operation and online, and also with the on-trade through supply to an extensive number of hotels, restaurants and bars. We managed to show our strength of relations and  invaluable support – especially given the past couple of turbulent years. All of these day to day operations were backed by iniatives such as the 'weekly treats', 'honk for plonk' and the virtual tastings which we have been successful over the past few years. 

We knew, heading down to London, that we were finalists for the Central England Merchant of the Year and the National Merchant prize. Knowing how high the standard was and the strength of the competition we were already celebrating being recognised at this level. Anything more was to be the sprinkles and icing on what was already a well iced cake. 

The day went well, we arrived had a few glasses of bubbles, a nice lunch (where we had the Circle of Life White which was tasting exquisite) and then off to the awards where all the big wine names were on show. 

Oz Clarke, Jamie Goode, Tim Akin and Helen McGinn to name but a few plus all the large supermarkets (Marks and Spencer, Waitrose etc) and then the large specialist (Wine Society, Sunday Times Wine Club etc). The afternoon started strong with some fabulous bubbles on the lawns overlooking the croquet and bowls, all very civilised. Even after the amount we had already consumed, we needed something to settle the nerves. And then the awards started... 

Presented by Tim Atkin Master of Wine and Helen McGinn who you may recogise from 'This Morning' the awards started with the specialists before kicking into the Merchant Awards. The rest of the night maybe a little bit of a hazy blur but we couldn't be happier to announce we came home with the Double Whammy of Wine Awards... 

Winners of..

Central England Wine Merchant of the Year 2022

UK Small Indepdent Wine Merchant of the Year 2022

 

It was noted on the night from Tim Atkin, how we impressed the judges with our progressive and innovative approach  and how we are driving the wine trade forward. It was also mentioned how good the refurb looks! 

Honestly a magical night. We can't thank you all enough. Thank you for all your continued support. 

Team Hattersley Wines xx

 

For those of you interested in finding out more about the International Wine Challenge and the other winners on the night click here.