Nick Dunning

It was therefore a refreshing change to meet Nick Dunning of the Boutique Wine Company, an internet sales outfit, specializing in select Australian fine wine.Nick established his business last May, having previously worked in sales and marketing in Eastern Europe for the tobacco giant, Rothmans.

His enthusiasm for wine was kindled some 5 years ago, whilst on a trip to Australia.On an internal flight from Sydney, he was given a "Grey Label" Wolf Blass Shiraz, and was blown away by its flavour and intensity.He wanted to pursue it further and learn more, to the extent that he eventually decided to withdraw from corporate life, and pursue a career in the wine trade.

Nick did not take up the challenge lightly.He passed his WSET exams and spent 5 weeks with the International Wine Challenge, honing his palate.Initially, he was looking or a business to buy, but an intermediary put him on contact with Australian Prestige Wines, an agency for boutique wineries.

Nick has now decided to ship and distribute their wines in the UK.Having travelled and tasted extensively in the Australian regions, Nick was aware that there were a significant number of relatively unknown winemakers who were producing remarkable wine and were eager to establish a reputation.He soon realised that this could be the beginning of a quest to create a niche market for handcrafted, small production wines, shunning the monotonous big brands which dominate the UK supermarkets and High Street.

In creating his range, Nick wanted to explore the differences in regions, soils and climate, and list wines which respect their origins.Although the range does include the usual blockbusters, he is also looking for refinement and elegance.

The aim is not to compete with the supermarkets, but to look at small volumes.The wines themselves vary in price between £6.50 and £30, and are only available by the case, through his mail-order company.So far, the reaction has been favourable, particularly from small independents and restaurants, who are looking for something unique and exclusive.

Nick invited me to try a selection from his range, and my first reaction to the Thistle Hill Riesling 2002 (£13) from Mudgee in New South Wales, was positive.
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The wines listed by the Boutique Wine Company make a refreshing change from the usual mass-market brands, and Nick has certainly honed in on a specialist area.All wines are sold by the case, which can be mixed, but in addition to simply supplying wines, he will also run tastings for clubs, private parties or corporate events, which is a super way to taste them before buying.

Nick Dunning

Australian wine online: the boutique wine company - about us
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Nick Dunning Director The Boutique Wine Company

It was therefore a refreshing change to meet Nick Dunning of the Boutique Wine Company, an internet sales outfit, specializing in select Australian fine wine.Nick established his business last May, having previously worked in sales and marketing in Eastern Europe for the tobacco giant, Rothmans.

His enthusiasm for wine was kindled some 5 years ago, whilst on a trip to Australia.On an internal flight from Sydney, he was given a "Grey Label" Wolf Blass Shiraz, and was blown away by its flavour and intensity.He wanted to pursue it further and learn more, to the extent that he eventually decided to withdraw from corporate life, and pursue a career in the wine trade.

Nick did not take up the challenge lightly.He passed his WSET exams and spent 5 weeks with the International Wine Challenge, honing his palate.Initially, he was looking or a business to buy, but an intermediary put him on contact with Australian Prestige Wines, an agency for boutique wineries.

Nick has now decided to ship and distribute their wines in the UK.Having travelled and tasted extensively in the Australian regions, Nick was aware that there were a significant number of relatively unknown winemakers who were producing remarkable wine and were eager to establish a reputation.He soon realised that this could be the beginning of a quest to create a niche market for handcrafted, small production wines, shunning the monotonous big brands which dominate the UK supermarkets and High Street.

In creating his range, Nick wanted to explore the differences in regions, soils and climate, and list wines which respect their origins.Although the range does include the usual blockbusters, he is also looking for refinement and elegance.

The aim is not to compete with the supermarkets, but to look at small volumes.The wines themselves vary in price between £6.50 and £30, and are only available by the case, through his mail-order company.So far, the reaction has been favourable, particularly from small independents and restaurants, who are looking for something unique and exclusive.

Nick invited me to try a selection from his range, and my first reaction to the Thistle Hill Riesling 2002 (£13) from Mudgee in New South Wales, was positive.

Nicholas Dunning, The Boutique Wine Company www.boutiquewinecompany.co.uk