Boutique hotel in Wales now has its own specialist wine shop

during the Covid lockdown.

“I became a restaurant manager and forgot about wine for a couple of years, really,” he says. “But getting back to the wine was always what I wanted to do. I wasn’t intending to stay in Pembrokeshire, but I got offered the space at Christmas time and it’s perfect.”

Cushley had overseen the expansion of the restaurant – which he formerly managed – into the gardens during Covid, and now he has launched his shop in the original dining area.

“I’m right at the front of the hotel, opposite reception,” he explains. “I’m covered by the hotel’s licence so I have a little wine bar section as well. I have five or six wines open at any one time. There’s a big focus on organic, natural and sustainable wine in the shop.”

Aside from sourcing wine from local producers including Velfrey Vineyard in Narberth and Hebron Vineyard in Carmarthenshire, Cushley is working with suppliers including Ally Wines, Carte Blanche, Indigo and Iberian Drinks.

“I’ve got over 100 different bottles and there is room to expand,” he says. “It’s very seasonal so I’ll probably expand over the summer and slowly contract until Christmas time.”

Cushley has already made a start on the first of many food and wine events in the shop with chef Lewis Wilson.

NOT YOU AGAIN!

customers we could do without

I know you were dealing with Aaron before, but let’s just say he’s no longer with the Fork & Firkin Group Ltd, so I’ll be your contact for all future orders … and I’ve gotta be honest, I’m talking about a complete overhaul of the current list you do for us … there’s absolutely no point us selling wines that people can buy for a quarter of the price in the Londis down the road … well for example Rioja, which you charge us 12 quid a bottle for, I can get one of those in the Co-op for £7.35 … pretty much all your French range looks a bit toppy, price wise – £24, £29, £38 and higher is what we’re asking people to pay for Alsace

Pinot Noir or Chablis Premier Cru but customers see a huge range of French gear for less than a tenner in Aldi … well you say you’re dealing with artisan producers and premium wines but it all tastes the same to me, and if it tastes the same to me – and I’ve been on catering course – then how are our customers going to tell the difference? Look, I haven’t got time now, you have a think, sharpen your pencil and see what you can come up with … oh and by the way, I spotted a silly typo in that last list you printed … there was an E missing at the end of the word Brute in some of the Champagnes … we’re not selling aftershave …

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