Four friends have launched an online wine shop on the back of what they call a new found public desire for high quality wines during lockdown.
Lucas and Claire Swanepoel, and Brenden and Lesley Masters have just gone live with Ashby Wines, selling a range of personally selected wines, beers and spirits.
Based in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in north west Leicestershire they are offering free delivery to homes and businesses within an approximate 8-mile radius 鈥 with a minimum sale of 拢50.
The team have combined their English and South African backgrounds and more than 26 years of experience in the trade to create a business they say 鈥渂lends expert knowledge and a commitment to outstanding, friendly service鈥.
Head buyer Lucas Swanepoel said: 鈥淲e believe now is the right time to look to the future and build a sustainable and successful independent wine business.
鈥淭hrough the recent lockdowns, many people have changed their behaviour and will now go that extra step for quality service and fantastic products.
鈥淲e offer a different way of buying wine that is convenient, quality-assured and dependable.鈥
Lucas was born in South Africa and spent almost 20 years living and working in the Cape Winelands district, travelling extensively and building his wine knowledge.
He moved to the 海角视频 10 years ago and continued to work in the wine industry.
He said: 鈥淚 have called on my expertise and contacts to source a superb selection of wines, sparkling wines and spirits from all corners.
鈥淎s a group of friends, our ethos is making fantastic wine straight from leading suppliers accessible and enjoyable for everyone.鈥
His wife Claire Swanepoel, who is head of marketing, said: 鈥淭hrough the lockdowns, I think most of us have had more time to reflect and enjoy those little moments.
鈥淔inding a delicious bottle of wine is one of those pleasures that we have enjoyed as we go through the tough days.
鈥淲e鈥檙e passionate about fantastic wine and superb customer service and are eager to grow and deliver our mission.
鈥淲e love our vibrant, local town and are so excited to launch our business here; we鈥檝e even named the business after it.
鈥淎nd we鈥檙e already planning on how we can share our passion via zoom wine tastings, physical experiences too when we鈥檙e allowed and various pop-up events and shops across the region.
鈥淲e鈥檙e very much looking forward to the year ahead.鈥
