Open for business: we talk wine, with the founder of The New Zealand Cellar   15 Aug 2014

Charlotte Everett

Click for a larger image

Melanie Brown

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Online wine shop The New Zealand Cellar is now live, bringing quality New Zealand wines to UK consumers. London Editor Charlotte Everett grabbed a chat with its founder, Melanie Brown, to find out more.

Tell us a little about yourself and your background in NZ?

Mel Brown: I grew up in Auckland, but moved to Christchurch as soon as I was able to leave home. I decided that I wanted to be a chef, and dropped out of school to pursue my dream! Little did I know that my dream wasn’t cooking! 

How did you get into wine?

Mel Brown: After starting at The Providores as a chef with Peter Gordon, I decided that I fancied working front of house, and believe it or not hadn’t developed a strong connection with NZ wine at this stage.  I fell in love with the stories associated with NZ vineyards, and found myself learning more about NZ and wine history living in London than I did when I grew up in NZ! I guess in a way NZ wine found me, and being surrounded by so many great wines at The Providores ignited my passion.

Why and when did you move to London, and what were you doing before The New Zealand Cellar?

Mel Brown: I moved to London 10 years ago, on a working holiday, and never left! I’ve been the wine buyer for The Providores wine list for the last 4 years; during this time played a fundamental role in turning it into the largest NZ wine list in Europe, something I am very proud of. I started at The Providores as a chef of course, and then moved right through the company. Peter and Michael have been hugely supportive of The New Zealand Cellar, and I am still remaining as a consultant on our wine list there.

How did The New Zealand Cellar come about, and what is its objective?

Mel Brown: During the last few years I became increasingly aware of the lack of knowledge and supply of premium NZ wine to UK consumers. My aim was to create a new and exciting platform that was able to create a wider conversation about NZ wine, whilst exposing new producers and wines in the UK. I am actively encouraging consumers to look past Sauvignon Blanc and realise that NZ has a wide range of regional and varietal differences that are worth discovering! So, my ultimate aim with The New Zealand Cellar is to become the home of premium NZ wine, to become an ambassador and supporter of the little guys that so often get over looked, and to encourage the UK to stop buying NZ wine from the supermarket!

How has business been going since the website went live?

 Mel Brown: The response I have received has been phenomenal – it makes me so proud to be a New Zealander and to know that I have so many friends, businesses and supporters getting in touch, and buying NZ wine. The Kiwi community in London is something I truly admire; we really are a friendly bunch! The events calendar is jam packed for the rest of 2014 and we are already discussing some new and exciting mixed case options for your ultimate NZ wine discovery.

If you’re keen to see what The New Zealand Cellar has on offer, check out their website.

Melanie Brown has also generously given us a couple of bottles of her premium wines to give away to London readers – check out our Competitions page to be in to win!

About the interviewer:

Charlotte Everett has been contributing to NZNewsUK as a columnist and journalist since 2011, and currently serves as London Editor – a post she has held since mid-2013. She has been based in London since mid-2007 and is an active member of London’s Kiwi community, also serving on the committee of the NZ Society UK. She has a broad writing portfolio, including music/entertainment, theatre reviews, travel, rugby, Kiwi success, vegan food, and WW100/ANZAC. She is also an experienced freelance tour guide, and leads city walks across London several times a week. You can follow her on Twitter, Facebook or WordPress.

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