About Us

As the name of our company might suggest, we select our wines with the same ruthless attention to detail that we expect from our producers. Our sights are fixed foremost on originality. We buy on the basis of our own conviction, based on many years of experience and indeed off the beaten tracks of the world’s wine routes. We never buy a wine because it has won a medal somewhere or received a high score from any wine critic, however celebrated. Good wine, like taste, is not measurable by numbers.

At present we work with around 100 growers in 15 countries. It will be no surprise that these are typically small family enterprises rather than large factories. We visit them all as frequently as possible, to ensure that we have the knowledge and professionalism that we expect our clients to demand of us. We and our growers understand the difference between real wine, a natural artisan product, and the big brands made from processed grapes that account for most of the world’s output and do little more than fulfil the legal definition of wine, if that. We place a high value on independence, as it is a natural and indeed necessary link with originality.

The Ox House
Occupying the prime site in the pretty market square in Northleach, The Ox House provides us with our retail shop and winebar. In an atmostphere more like an Italian 'enoteca' than a British off-licence, many of our wines are offered for tasting and others can be sampled at modest cost and purchased by the glass, bottle or case. Come and browse round our wide range of wines and be sure of knowledgable assistance if you need it, or simply relax with a glass of wine.

Mark Savage M.W. Owner and Chief Executive

Master of Wine since 1980, with over 30 years experience. Widely regarded in the trade as the possessor of a particularly acute palate, which he personally likes to think is more easily impressed by delicacy and finesse than by mere power. He has been a frequent judge at major wine competitions in the UK and USA.

Stephen Eggerton Director

Having qualified as a wine maker from the Lycee Viticole in Montreuil-Bellay, Stephen has 8 years behind him as a working partner in a French vineyard. Such experience of both viticulture and winemaking is rare in a mere merchant and provides us with a peculiar asset, a sympathetic link with our growers and a proper appreciation of their problems.

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