North West wine retailers of the year announced

Written by Claire Weekes

Monday, 24 November 2008

An independent wine retailer which has been trading for just one year has scooped an award for North West Specialist Wine Retailer of the Year.

The Vineyard, based in Ramsbottom, has only been been trading for just over a year.

The award is devised and sponsored by The North West Wine and Spirit Association, a voluntary body with a committee of around 200 North West wine trade officials. The competition is designed to reward excellence in wine and spirit retailing, based on knowledge and communication skills of staff, range of wines and spirits stocked, merchandising and marketing.

Runners up were Rodney Densem Wines in Nantwich and Reserve Wines in Manchester. Scatchards in Chester was also highly commended.

Judging was conducted between August and October by a panel of judges with a combined experience of over sixty years in UK wine retailing. The judging was done by way of an initial ‘mystery shopper' visit followed by in-depth interviews in situ with the finalists.

Owner of The Vineyard, Stuart Rothwell, said: "We are absolutely delighted to win this prestigious award, it is a great testament to the passion that we have put in

John Comyn said:

	POINT OF INFORMATION: The NWWSA, an affiliate of the WSTA, has a council (committee) of 15 members, and a MEMBERSHIP of around 200.
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