Meet the FromVineyardsDirect Team
David was introduced to wine publishing in the late '70s and early '80s as International Sales Director at Mitchell Beazley, where Hugh Johnson's Wine Atlas and Pocket Wine Book, and Michael Broadbent's Great Vintage Wine were best-sellers. As international publisher of Hachette in Paris (1982-90), he invented the Guide Hachette des Vins, France's No. 1-selling wine book.
In 1991, he revived the Everyman’s Library, of which he remains publisher. Since then, it has released more than 600 titles, selling more than 25 million books. In 2007 David was awarded France’s highest honour, the Légion d’Honneur.
Having co-founded Majestic Wine over forty years ago, Esme helped revolutionise wine buying in the UK. By introducing a warehouse format with young, energetic staff selling a cosmopolitan range of wines, his shared formula’s success was as immediate as its spread was rapid. In 1989, Johnstone sold his interest in the company and relocated to Château de Sours in Bordeaux where he was instrumental in producing critically acclaimed wines that also featured ‘probably the best rosé in the world’ (Auberon Waugh, The Spectator).
Email: esme@fromvineyardsdirect.com
If I’m not directing operations or getting physically rattled at a 5-a-side of regular boot camps, I’ll likely be in the kitchen – or thinking about being there – rustling up something spicy and/or grillable. Something that demands a great wine to go alongside, of course. Then again, I might be at the cricket or Colchester United home game. Then there’s all that music I’m forever tuning into… But wine? Always, and so often from one of my top regions: the Rhône Valley.
Email: mark@thewinecompany.co.uk
As head buyer of FromVineyardsDirect I’ve been heavily involved in shaping and enhancing our portfolio over the last few years – I’m always on the lookout for wines of real character, with a strong sense of place. We’re privileged to work with some exceptional producers, with whom we’ve established close relationships over the years.
My desert island wine would undoubtedly be a good red Burgundy – top Côte d’Or Pinot has always been the ultimate for me.
When my nose isn’t stuck in a glass, it’s generally buried in a history book – and when I’m not exploring the vineyards, I’m often found rambling around old WW2 battlefields and beaches.
Email: ben@fromvineyardsdirect.com
I’ve always loved discovering new wines and with the world of wine ever expanding the choice has never been bigger. If I had to choose a favourite region though, Burgundy will still always grab the top spot. I’ll never tire of a gently oaked Puligny or a nicely aged Nuits St George , but the quality is there right through to the Bourgogne rouge and blanc level. Earning my WSET Diploma some years ago helped me start my career in wine, but I was in love well before that, an avid foodie means I’m always looking for the right wine to go with what’s on the menu. When I’ve got my Head of Customer Experience hat on, it’s a passion to deliver quality customer service that drives me. My goal is to ensure our home-delivery service runs smoothly and efficiently and offers all our customers a friendly, knowledgeable team of wine advisors who love to answer to any query and do everything they can to ensure every customer finds a wine they’ll love – whether that’s an old favourite or something completely new. Outside of wine my passion is sport, both playing (tennis and badminton) and, more often, watching. This predominantly means football (Ipswich Town FC, who else?), rugby (owing to my early years in Cardiff?) and cricket.
My love for wine was born out of a passion for craft ale, and when a chance opportunity arose to delve into the world of wine, I grabbed it with both hands. That was nearly 20 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. And before you do, there's little point asking me what my favourite wine is, since I love so many. It's the occasion, the food, the people that you share a wine with, that‘s a huge part of what makes any wine special.
In truth whilst I of course love a good glass of wine, I’m a classic car fanatic, a craft ale enthusiast, a garage tinkerer, an inventor, and of course wine drinker, this combination has led me to meeting some incredible people over the years.
Wine is supposed to be fun, don’t take it too seriously 😊, enjoy sharing with friends, discovering new varieties, styles, winemakers and regions.
Originally from Colchester, I became an Australian resident in 2004, living on Queensland’s (breathtaking) Sunshine Coast in Noosa where my family and I ran a busy little restaurant called Bistro On Thomas. After moving back home in 2014 and a stint in real estate, I decided to follow my passion for wine by joining the Customer Care team at Mr. Wheeler. Since then – and a WSET Level 2 certificate later – I’ve been working alongside our on-trade sales rep Simon Gotelee, looking after our hotel and restaurant clients.
I’m from Radlett, Hertfordshire, and first got into wine while living in France during my degree—it’s been a full-on intrigue for me ever since. I started my career on the Majestic Wine graduate scheme and went on to work in four of their top Fine Wine stores, including the flagship in St John’s Wood. That experience gave me a solid foundation, an appetite to keep learning (and tasting!), and eventually led me to my WSET Level 3, which I passed with distinction.
After eight years teaching French in secondary schools, I made my way back into the wine world just before COVID, where the intrigue shows no signs of abating. Favourite wines? Easy. I’m a big fan of mature Bordeaux and great chardonnay from pretty much anywhere, but I’ve also got a soft spot for regional European wines, especially when paired with local cuisine. This symbiosis never fails to fascinate. The two have always meant to be one!
Email: jayers@thewinecompany.co.uk
In another life, I was doing online management/marketing for a seed and plant-trading company where I had comparatively little knowledge of wine. FromVineyardsDirect changed all that, of course. I’ve since learned comparatively more, and not just about the industry, but more specifically about what kinds of bottles really grab customers’ attention. What makes them sit up and get clicking. Similarly, my palate has come a long way, and I’m still amazed by the sheer range of grape varieties out there. These days, Albariño sits at the top of my wine-favourites tree; elsewhere, in the Portman Road stands is where I sit whenever Ipswich Town FC are at home. Rain or shine…
Email: andrew@thewinecompany.co.uk
Although I was born in a wine-producing country (Argentina via Buenos Aires), only then to grow up in another (Spain via Madrid), it was on California’s Central Coast where I first fell in love with wine. That ‘conversion’ led me to study food technology and wine in Bordeaux before joining FromVineyardsDirect when they came on board in 2019. These days, I’m based in Milan, working with the online team and always fully involved in all marketing activities. As for other passions – travelling. It’s taken me everywhere from Kenya to Peru, and I’m always up for exploring new places, especially with friends. But wine? Burgundian Pinot. Make it always red Burgundy!
Email: micaela@thewinecompany.co.uk
