Tucked away between Piccadilly and Curzon Street in the heart of Mayfair lies Shepherd Market, a small square developed in 1735-46 by local architect Edward Shepherd to replace a popular trade fair that operated on the site from the 1680’s. It comprises a number of small side streets with a variety of boutique shops, restaurants and Victorian pubs.
Shepherd Market has had a racy history – it was home to Mayfair’s ‘ladies of the night’; made fashionable in the novels of Michael Arlen and Anthony Powell; Keith Moon, drummer for The Who died of an overdose and Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis spent £17,000 on a meal at the now-defunct Mirabelle restaurant.
Shepherd Market Wine House has undergone major refurbishment after opening as a pop-up in November 2015 for 6 weeks and re-opened at the end of February. The venue comprises a wine retail space with a tasting area and seating for 16-18 on the ground floor and tables outside. There is an intimate semi-private tasting room for 8 alongside a seating area for 12 – 14 in the cellar. There is a no reservations policy for tables however the downstairs spaces are available for private hire and are ideal for meetings, social functions and bespoke wine tastings.
Shepherd Market Wine House aims to source an eclectic selection of wines from around the world with excellent vintages ready for drinking immediately. Up to 20 wines, including sparkling and Champagne, are served by the glass with platters of cheese, olives, pate, terrines and charcuterie to share.
In addition, the innovative Coravin system will enable customers to taste a small selection of fine wines by the glass, with wines changing frequently. Bottles are available to buy for takeaway or can be delivered locally. Worth noting is the entry-level Champagne, Generosite Noire, Blanc de Noir, which is made by the students of the Avize Viti Campus with the Champagne Sanger Cellar Master.
Founder and Managing Director Nathan Lowry also founded Pall Mall Fine Wine (a wine retailer and bar) in 2012 and the London Beer House (a speciality craft beer shop and pub) in 2015, both of which currently operate out of the iconic Royal Opera Arcade in St James. Nathan’s property and hospitality pedigree include development and management of Shepherd Neame’s most profitable unit, Casey’s Ale, Stout & Oyster House and the Marquee Club in central London. He secured equity for the Blackfriars Tower hotel complex, is the licensee of easyCoffee and advises hospitality operators including Fortnum & Mason and Hard Rock Cafe in London and internationally.
Heading up the Shepherd Market Wine House team is sommelier, Ben Van de Meutter who joined from Butler’s Wharf Chop House where he was Head Sommelier. Prior to this Ben started his career in his hometown of Antwerp at the Hotel De Rosier. He became a Certified Sommelier in 2003 and Cellar Master for a luxury cruise liner group before moving to London in 2013. Ben is currently studying to achieve his Advanced and Master Sommelier titles.
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