Ten Minutes With… The Oxford Wine Company
I was delighted when The Oxford Wine Company contacted me earlier this year, looking for some luxury notecards for their customer orders. It’s often the simplest designs that print beautifully and these notecards were no exception. Printed on heavy cotton paper stock, they have a pillowy soft impression that you just want to touch. Here I chat to Becka, Marketing Manager at The Oxford Wine Company, about stationery and wine.
Becka, tell me about your business and what you do!
We are a proudly independent wine and spirits merchant with five shops, three in central Oxford. We also supply bars, restaurants, hotels and caterers. This side of the business is waking up after long periods of closure due to Covid-19!
The Oxford Wine Company is an award-winning independent business, what do you feel is the secret of your success?
The Oxford Wine Company has been family-run since its foundation in 1991, and that family feel continues to define the atmosphere among our small team. Having highly trained staff is also really important. Our knowledgeable team is passionate about helping our customers choose something delicious to put in their glass.
You’re so much more than a wine merchant. There’s a wine cafe, a piano bar, and I know you run tasting sessions. Is customer engagement an important part of your business?
Customer engagement is the heart and soul of what we do. Wine is an experience made for sharing, so we love being able to interact with our lovely customers in person. During lockdown we took our tastings online and our customers were able to join us for fun Zoom tastings.
In your role as Marketing Manager, what does a typical day look like for you?
I always start the day with a cup of tea, that’s one thing ticked off the to-do list already! I might have that while I write some product descriptions for new listings from last week’s tasting, or as I fire off a couple of emails to the team about upcoming promotions. Then there might be a restaurant wine list to design or POS materials to create or a customer phone call to answer. There is always lots to do, and the role is very dynamic. I love it because it means I get to see all the sides of the company.
What's been your proudest moment so far at Oxford Wine Company?
I have to say that hosting several of our virtual events and in-person tastings is something I’m very proud of. The events themselves have been great successes, and moderating our discussions and leading the tastings took me out of my comfort zone and challenged me in a new way. Questions from participants also kept me on my toes, which can’t be a bad thing!
Is there a wine out there for everyone?
There is certainly a wide world of wine out there to discover. From crisp and refreshing white wines to easy drinking reds to full-bodied show-stoppers, there is lots to choose from. Part of the fun is tasting and trying lots to find your favourite styles. However, it is easy for us wine geeks to get carried away and forget that there are many ways to toast a special occasion, relax with friends, treat yourself or start your evening with a bang! For example, I also love our range of cocktail supplies and spirits, as well as the growing range of low- and no-alcohol options. Without a doubt, there is something to whet everyone’s whistle, even if wine isn’t at the top of their list.
What’s your own tipple of choice?
I love to cosy up at home with a glass of Italian red, like a Barolo. I love how food-friendly Italian wine is. Meat, cheese, pizza, I want it all. If I’m out, you can probably find me sipping a Cosmopolitan cocktail. Yum.
Is sustainability an important part of life at The Oxford Wine Company and if so, what kind of role does it play?
We focus on local business when we’re sourcing products and services, from gift bags to the internet. Where we can’t buy local, we use a local broker. So, despite the fact we sell wine from all around the world, we keep our feet firmly in the local community, keeping in our minds the importance of economic sustainability for the local area.
Why did letterpress printing feel like the right choice for your stationery and what do you feel it brings to your brand?
We need our brand materials to be recognisable, consistent and elegant. We wanted the thought that goes into a handwritten note to be conveyed not only by the words themselves but by the whole feel of the thing, which is why letterpress, headed notecards were the right choice for us.
And a quick this or that round, just for fun!
Biscuit or cake? Cake
TV show or movie? Tv show
Dogs or cats? Dogs
Night in or night out? Night in
Park or beach? Beach
Sunrise or sunset? Sunset
Family time or me time? Family time
Buy it or DIY it? DIY it
Podcast or playlist? Playlist
Coffee or tea? Tea
Any top tips for anyone who might want to have a career in wine?
Have fun exploring what makes you love wine - be that tasting, travelling, networking or studying. This is definitely a career to pursue through passion.
Finally, if people want to learn more about your fabulous wines, where can they find you online?
@theoxfordwinecompany on Instagram
@theoxfordwineco on Twitter
