Shop Local, Globally With Jones & Company Wine Merchants

Your Jones & Company Wine Merchants team (photo by David Lipnowski)

It is a new story, which is an old story. It is a realization that happened out of a pandemic, but that feels like something we have been doing for so long, it is second nature. Like all businesses, Banville & Jones has taken stock of what we do and how we do it and looked to what the future will bring. This has brought about change and has tightened our focus in the areas where we are already successful. As of October 1, Banville & Jones Wine Co. will now be called Jones & Company Wine Merchants. The name reflects our President Tina Jones’s vision while appreciating all the people who work hard every day to make it a success.

With this change, we also looked at our Mission Statement. Jones & Company Wine Merchants’ mission

is to connect wine lovers with real people who make great wine. We looked at how we find wine and who we buy from, and we realized that we have been working on our model for over two decades now—one we have defined as “buy local, globally.” But what does that mean?

We buy based on taste, not on price (though the value always needs to be there). We build brands because we believe in the wines and the people behind them. And most importantly, we believe that the best winemakers are true and honest with themselves, to their wines, and to the land. Happily, these friends often have great stories which we are excited to share with you.

We buy wine from many sources: through travel to wine regions and wine shows, and from agencies who bring us wines they think we will love. Every year, we taste thousands of wines and bring in about 100 new ones. The percentage of wines that make the cut is low because they all compete to have a place in our store among our other friends. We are proud of our diligence and believe every wine is in the store for a reason.

To understand our vision of “buying local, globally,” you have to have a sense of who we work with. These are not just bottles on the shelves—they represent people, passion, reason, and taste that align with Jones & Company values. I reached out to some of our partners—old and new—to show you why we feel so connected to these winemakers around the world. And to show why it is important to us at Jones & Company to shop local, globally.

Photo courtesy of Azienda Agricola Reassi

Region: Colli Euganei, Veneto, Italy Owners: Bonato family Winemaker: Diego Bonato Production per year: 25,000 bottles Export: 6 countries, though most is sold in Italy

Diego Bonato represents the third generation of winemakers working their 6-hectare vineyard.

When did you first start working with Jones & Company Wine Merchants? I was the General Manager and Winemaker at Tina’s family winery, Tolaini Estates, from 2004 to 2014. Many staff have had a glass of red wine with me on Al Passo. In 2008, Jones & Co. started buying wine from my family winery, then called Callegaro Francesca.

What is your current business focus? This situation is changing our business perspective a little. We used to work mainly with the hospitality channel, but we need to grow a new part of the business that goes directly to the client. Home deliveries have grown, and it is important to find partners that offer that service. It is something that we did not consider before, but we surely have to consider it now.

Region: Pago Calzadilla, Cuenca, Spain Owners: Uribes Madero family Winemaker: Paula Uribes Production per year: 80,000 bottles

Founded in 1980 by her parents, Paco Uribes and Celia Madero, Paula represents the second generation to make wine on this 26-hectare plot of land.

How do you farm? From the beginning, we have farmed with an organic philosophy, making our own compost and avoiding using chemical products by protecting plants with cinnamon and copper. We have obtained vegan certification for all our wines this year, and we will obtain organic wine certification at the end of 2020.

Photo courtesy of Pago Calzadilla

Wine Merchants? We first met at ProWein [Wine Show] in Germany in 2014.

What is your current business focus? Our business was always divided 50/50 between national and international markets due to the good ratings and press reviews during the last years. Our distributors and private customers are the most important thing to us, and we have confirmed that during COVID. So we will continue focusing on restaurants and private customers here in Spain and in the rest of the countries we export to.

What do you think the future holds for Calzadilla? In my opinion, the way of buying wines has changed during the last years, and lockdown has confirmed that with the increase in online sales. New generations prefer to buy online, so we will try to adapt our offerings and be more present and proactive on Facebook, Instagram, and the websites of our partners. Also, we will continue looking for new partners in new markets.

Region: Clare Valley, South Australia Owners: Pike Family Winemaker: Steve Baraglia Production per year: 700,000 bottles Export: 20 countries

The Pike family has farmed their land for 36 years, over three generations, and currently works 100 hectares of vineyards.

How do you farm? We focus on minimal use of chemicals and sustainable practices. Our crop management relies on elemental forms of fungicide.

Wine Merchants? We have had a relationship with the store on and off since the early 2000s. Most recently, we were able to connect with Jill from the store at the London wine fair in 2019.

Photo courtesy of Pikes

What is your current business focus? For us, domestic markets account for 85% of our sales. Direct-to-consumer sales are having large growth here in Oz, as consumers are seeking authentic connections with their wine producers. Our strong relationships with independent retailers and restaurants continue to play a pivotal role. We have had such great support from so many businesses that are struggling right now. We have been doing lots of Zoom tastings with customers around the world to try and support them.

What do you think the future holds for Pikes? There are exciting times ahead for us, as we have recently undergone some generational change and succession in the business. Our new tasting room and award-winning restaurant (Slate) have provided us with an increased focus on customer experience and direct sales. We think there is room for some moderate growth in the domestic market. The increasing effects of climate change are, without doubt, our largest challenge for the future, however, so the hunt for new drought-resistant varieties, vineyard management techniques, and cooler and wetter sites will need to form a major part of our focus over the coming years. 

to all those on the front lines working tirelessly to keep us safe, supplied, and healthy.