South Downs Cellars - 20 years on
On 16th August 2003 Lucy opened the doors of South Downs Cellars in Hurstpierpoint. 20 years later the business has grown, a second shop opened in Lindfield nearly 13 years ago and there is a thriving wholesale business that supplies around 80 local restaurants and other trade accounts.
To celebrate the 20th anniversary, we have 20% off 20 of our best-selling wines (to order online use code SDC20), as well as hosting a couple of tastings; one in Lindfield on Friday 11th August and one in Hurstpierpoint on Friday 18th August. You can book tickets through either shop, but tickets are limited so we recommend you book early to avoid disappointment. To find out more click here.
We thought it was also a great opportunity to ask Lucy a few questions about her experiences over the last 20 years. Each member of our team contributed a question and here is what Lucy says…
Euan: “Why did you decide to open a wine merchant’s 20 years ago?”
Lucy: “At the time there was not much choice available to consumers who were interested in wine. There were supermarkets, Unwins was on a downward spiral and Threshers was not offering much either. I wanted to give wine lovers a better choice of wines and we were one of the first new wave of indie wine merchants in Sussex to provide this sort of service.”
Tim: What is your favourite experience of running South Downs Cellars for the last 20 years?
Lucy: “Talking to people about wine, both in the shop and at tastings. Previously I sold wine for a broker, so all the sales were on paper and I didn’t get a chance to talk to the end consumer about their experience. It is very rewarding getting people’s feedback on the wines I recommend or that we taste together.”
Giles: “If you could go back in time and look at all the wines we have sold, which wine and vintage do you wish you had purchased more of given the chance?”
Lucy: “When South Downs Cellars first opened I bought a case of 1998 Les Carruades de Lafite, the second wine of Chateau Lafite-Rothschild in Bordeaux. I sold it in the shop for £29.75 a bottle. Today that wine would cost me about £400 ex VAT a bottle at trade price. It was an incredible wine and would still be drinking beautifully today, if only I had bought more than just 12 bottles.”
Richard: “Is there a particular vineyard or wine maker, that you have worked with before but not currently, that you would go out of your way to work with again?”
Lucy: “When we first opened, we worked with a tiny estate, Chateau Amphoux in the Costieres de Nimes, who had a winemaker called Cendrine Guy. She was a very talented lady who made fantastic wines. Unfortunately, after about 8 years or so the owner of the estate ended up closing the winery and selling his crop to the local co-operative. I don’t know what happened to Cendrine or where she moved on to, but if we ever crossed paths I would definitely sell her wines again.”
Matthew: “What advice would you give to yourself if you could go back to 2003? And what wine would you bring back to enjoy now?”
Lucy: “When I first set up South Downs Cellars I did not appreciate how all consuming running my own business would be, so I would warn myself what to expect and be better prepared for the challenge.
I would bring back a bottle of 1997 Cepparrello, the top wine of Isole e Olena in Chianti. At the time it cost about £35-40. I was very sad when the last bottle was sold. If I could squeeze in a second bottle it would be the 1998 Le Carruades de Lafite – the last bottle was on the shop fine wine rack for a a few weeks, and the day I decided that if no one had bought it by the end of the day I would have it myself, someone came in and bought it.”
Ed: Over the last 20 years what if anything has changed in terms of customer attitudes and trends?
And do you / can you predict how they might change (if so) in the next 20 years?
Lucy: “Buying local has become a really strong trend over the time South Downs Cellars has been open. When I first opened the doors of the shop I had about 12 local wines but now that Sussex is at the heart of England’s wine making scene we have around 100 local wines, as well as local gin and beer producers too. This trend will continue to get stronger as the volume and quality continues to improve, and hopefully some of the wines come down in price, relative to the wines made elsewhere in the world.
I have also found that customers are now more willing to experiment with their wine selections. This is probably because we have built up great relations with our regular customers over the last 20 years and so they trust us when we make our suggestions. With our pool of loyal customers this level of trust and rapport has enabled us to deliver the best wines for everyone’s needs and tastes. It is a big part of why we have been so successful over the years.”
Steve: “Where is your favourite place that you have visited when travelling to find new wines? And what made it so special?”
Lucy: “Being given a tour of the Antinori Estates in Tuscany and Umbria was a stand out trip. It was a tour of the region, from the Tuscan Coast to the Classico region and over into Umbria. It included visits to the estates of Guado al Tasso, Badia a Passignano, La Braccesca, Castello della Sala and Tignanello. Tasting their fantastic wines in the cellars where they were made, accompanied by delicious Italian food was an amazing experience that I will never forget.”
Andrew: What do you enjoy doing on the rare occasions when you are not working?
Lucy: “Anything outside. I love to ride, so it is great when I can spend time with my horse Tilly at weekends. When not riding, I am normally found in the garden or the greenhouse (depending on time of year), and I also have four cats that are great fun – Kiska, Moo, Squila and Rinky, who all love to be involved in everything that is going on. “
James: “Where do you see SDC in 20 years’ time?”
Lucy: “I would like to think the business will still be trading, but with someone else in charge!”