Our team of highly-trained, dedicated, staff is what really helps us stand out from the crowd. All experts in their own field, and true wine people at heart.
Learn about our team, below, and please feel free to get in touch.
Ethan Harvey | Newlyns Sales Manager
Wine of the moment
Changes on an hourly basis. But my wine of the moment has to be the Dorli Muhr Carnuntum. Hailing from Austria it is a magical blend of Blaufrankisch & Syrah. Matured gently for two years, it is finessed & seductive.
Away from work
Many hobbies, generally revolving around cricket and Exeter Chiefs!
Contact: ethanharvey@caviste.co.uk
Rachel McAlpine | Overton Shop Manager
Wine of the moment
It's the Cheveau Macon Davayé; I love this wonderfully textured white Burgundy. It's unoaked and has spent 8 months on its lees. Like a beautiful Chablis but with more evidence of the warmer climate it hails from in the form of stone fruit on the nose and palate
Away from work
I love playing golf and keeping fit – and do the latter with the aim of playing golf for as long as possible!
Contact: rachel@caviste.co.uk
Mark Bedford | Managing Director
Wine of the Moment
Changes daily but my long term favourite is Yarra Yering No 1 made by Sarah Crowe northeast of Melbourne in the Yarra Valley. A Bordeaux that is better than a Claret!
Away from work
(I can hear my colleagues laughing already) – finding new corners of the Hampshire countryside for a two hour walk, swimming in a secret location in the River Itchen in the very early hours of a summer morning. More than a day – then it’s Jurassic Coast, West Wales or the Hebrides with my beloved.
Contact: markbedford@caviste.co.uk
Peter Gentilli | Purchasing & Logisitcs
Wine of the moment
Casal Farneto Crisio Verdicchio, Italy. A cleverly crafted wine which uses 3 differently timed harvests – Early, Normal and Late all blended together to resulting a lush, ripe but fresh white that goes with everything from scallops to roast pork. Genius!
Away from work
Too many hobbies to list but close to the top are tinkering with old cars, skiing, fishing and listening to classic rock on the record player.
Contact: petergentilli@caviste.co.uk
Bill Thorniley | Sales & Warehouse Manager
Wine of the moment
Damien Burle's Gigondas, "Les Fouilles." Rich and juicy with a wonderfully smokey and herbaceous notes in the background. 50% Grenache and 50% Syrah from a tiny 1-hectare plot of 40-year-old vines. Perfect for Beef Wellington and all manner of barbecued or grilled meats.
Away from work
I'm usually walking, whittling, foraging or eating! As at home in lovely restaurants as I am cooking wild mushrooms over the campfire. Come and talk to me about food pairings and the weird, whacky and wonderful parts of the wine world.
Contact: bill@caviste.co.uk
Caroline Richardson | Deputy Manager Overton
Wine of the moment
I find it really hard to choose a favourite wine because what I enjoy is constantly trying something new! If I had to choose then I love the gutsy reds and luxurious whites of my spiritual home, the Rhône Valley. For now, I will choose the delightful Cairanne 'Les Six'.
Away from work
In the summer you’ll find me busy in the garden growing fruit and vegetables and trying to encourage as much wildlife as possible. In the winter I’ll be dress-making and catching up on DIY.
Contact: caroline@caviste.co.uk
Susanna Bedford | Events & Administration
Wine of the moment
If I were to really push the boat out, a bottle of Henri Giraud Dame Jane Champagne would be my choice. It is utterly delicious and very beautiful, with rich, deep subtle tones and layers of pinot noir and chardonnay. Pour it into your best clear crystal glasses and serve it alongside the simplest of bites (smoked salmon, potted shrimps or dressed crab) and drink slowly with people (or person) you love!
Away from work
I enjoy days exploring the areas of London where our children live – or lengths of the British coast, especially stretches of remote Hebridean islands. On quiet days, I twist the caps off my watercolours with the aim of capturing something botanical.
Contact: susanna@caviste.co.uk
Steve Varley | The Spirits Room Shop Manager
Whisky of the moment
My whisky of the moment is currently the lovely Spirit Room bottle of Eagle Rare 10, a specially selected cask from Sazerac distillery in Kentucky, which has been bottled and labelled exclusively for The Spirits Room. This bottle has been extracted from a cask that has spent it's life high up in the rafters of the Sazerac warehouse. Being high up, it gets more heat and humidity and develops and matures much faster than the cooler barrels further down the rafters. The result is a fantastically easy drinking bourbon, with hints of cherry and sweet pastries. Absolutely delicious.
Away from work
Outside of The Spirits Room, Steve is an avid walker, mountain-biker and target shooter, you will regularly find him out with his wife Natalie enjoying the countryside walks in Surrey, Hampshire or Berkshire.
Contact: steve@thespiritsroom.co.uk
Charles Buxton | Sales Executive
Wine of the moment
Jean-Luc Gimmonet, best known for Blanc de Blancs Champagnes, with long aging and terroir expression
from Côte des Blancs vineyards in Cuis and Oger.
My favourite is the 2008 vintage, 13 years on lees, a light straw gold hue with lovely fine delicate bubbles. A nose full of Anjou pears and apple with hint of citrus, along with classic brioche notes, it evolves on the palate with creamy notes and baked spiced apples with a touch of Hazelnuts before a velvety long finish that has a balanced acidity through. A perfect blend of a high-end Meursault and top vintage champagne.
Away from work
Following rugby obsessively and being a foodie, both cooking at home and
finding new restaurants.
Contact: charles@caviste.co.uk
