Winestore.co.uk ~ because life's too short to drink bad wine!

Simon Harrison

Simon Harrison Managing Director

Simon is the founding principal of Winestore. Passionate about all wines, he refuses to lean towards any one country or grape variety.

“Each has its place and it’s more about the taste and flavours that complement what you’re eating. You need only look to France and French wines for guidance on this subject. Whether it’s a good Muscadet with shellfish or a meaty Rhône with a roast, there’s a place for it. The French learn the correct matches at an early age.”

When pressed, he admitted that good organic wines allow him somewhat more indulgence without the side effects the following day!

With an eye for a bargain and a nose for undiscovered treasures, we have Simon to thank for Winestore’s carefully chosen wine selection and in particular, exclusives such as Domaine de Tavernel and Château l’Ermitage.

Sue Harrison

Sue Harrison Operations Director

When asked about a favourite wine from the home cellar, she replied “Good Aussie Shiraz!” without hesitating. Top of her list are Peter Lehmann wines, with Barossa Shiraz scoring highest for overall value and quality.

Managing web orders, staff and getting your wine to you are just a few of Sue’s many responsibilities. Beyond Winestore, being married to the MD brings additional challenges though she is adamant that business and pleasure should only be mixed when pulling a cork!

Simon and Sue are based at the shop premises in Crieff, Perthshire.

David Owen

David Owen Finance Director

The self-styled “bottle counter” of Winestore with years of financial expertise, David is notorious within the team for making sure that he gets the highest value at the lowest price.

“As long as it’s under a fiver” is his motto when choosing a wine (typical Finance Director), until it comes to his particular area of expertise – dessert wines and port. “I could dedicate my life to port and pudding wine” is often heard from David at the end of a meal.

It is thanks to his constant price watching that Winestore continues to bring you great value at some of the best prices for wines on the web.

Jayne Owen

Jayne Owen Web Marketing Director

Jayne is the “techie” behind the scenes. Often found preparing copy or analysing web statistics late into the evening (well, she is a techie!), Jayne likes to fortify herself with a glass (or two) of good white burgundy, though Alto de Terra Andina Chardonnay from Chile is a current favourite. Her latest ambition is to try the full range of D’Arenberg wines “because I love the names.”

As well as maintaining the web site Jayne keeps a close eye on Winestore’s search engine ranking and performance. She makes it easy for you to find your wines.

“On the web, finding what you want quickly and easily can be a challenge. At Winestore, it’s my job to help you track down exactly what you’re looking for in the shortest possible time.”

David and Jayne carry out their financial and web marketing roles from their base in Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire.

Sarah Russell

Sarah Russell

Sarah hails originally from Stellenbosch - the heart of South Africa’s winelands. She has worked on and around wine estates and top hotels in South Africa and spent six years working for Corney & Barrow in London.

Most recently, she left Flagstone Winery in the Cape to move to Scotland. This small, family owned and very hands-on boutique cellar is where she has gained invaluable insight and knowledge into the winemaking and creation process.

While she has strong leanings towards wines from her native soils, she is passionate about all wines and regions and loves to try new things.

She has a wish list of favourite wines (too many to mention here) but is really in love with big, juicy Shiraz; flinty, cool-climate Sauvignon Blanc and barrel-fermented Chenin.

“I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm with the customers, and finding them the perfect bottle for the occasion - whether it be a quiet, romantic dinner, gifts for corporate clients or just for everyday drinking.”

Dale Phillips

Dale Phillips

Dale has been in the Wine and Spirit trade for 33 years, most of that time spent with UK wholesaler Waverley/TBS with roles in Production, Quality Control, Training in Wine and Spirits, Wine Marketing and finally Buying across a portfolio of some 2,500 products.

Always interested by developments within the trade, Dale has visited all the main wine growing countries of the world and met first hand the incredible enthusiasm of wine makers for their products.

“It is an amazing experience to work with these suppliers as they develop new ideas, new methods and even new varietals to drive wine sales forward in the continual move for better quality and value.

To me, wine is an amazing story - a living product forever developing and evolving. It’s great to explore new wines as well as visit the old favourites - it’s rewarding and yes, even frustrating - but above all, it’s fascinating and fun. So I look forward to helping Winestore customers find wines they too can enjoy.”