Testimonials
"Like many people, my first encounter with German wine was an off-dry Riesling. There are some absolutely amazing examples available, but there is so much more to German wine! As a sommelier I am always considering how a wine interacts with food, and German wines are some of my favourites for how versatile and food-friendly they are. Iris is an old friend of Michael’s, and I was thrilled to be invited to The WineBarn’s portfolio tasting – I had been struggling to source German red, so this was an ideal opportunity. It’s wonderful to be able to work with such a specialist supplier and be able to introduce such unique, high quality wines to our guests."
Lauren Sharples, Sommelier for The Angel at Hetton (2024)
"We have been working with Iris and the lovely WB team for over a decade and they have proven time and again their consistency in supplying quality wines backed up with exemplary customer service and this is what sets them apart from other specialists. They have an amazing selection of wines showcasing the depth of what Germany has to offer. They are knowledgeable and passionate people who deserve all the credit due; no accolade is too small."
Andrew Duncan, Wine Buyer for Harvey Nichols (2024)
"I have been dealing with Iris for the past 15 years when I was head sommelier at Marcus Wareing until now at Heston Blumenthal’s Dinner at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Her service and selection of wines are impeccable, inspiring and refreshing. There is no other merchant that sells German wine with the same passion as Iris does. "
Michael Deschamp, Head Sommelier for Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the Mandarin Oriental London (2024)
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“Our wine lists feel incomplete without plenty of presence from Germany. Stellar wines, and still remarkable value, considering the quality. We go to no-one but Iris at The WineBarn to fill these gaps, her relationships with superb German winemakers are unmatched.”
Edmund Inkin, Owner of Eat Drink Sleep (2024)
“We love working with The WineBarn, the wine selection is purely focused on German wines with artisanal winemakers and wonderful hidden gems. The attention to detail, the enthusiasm and professionalism that Iris and her team have is remarkable. Thank you for your continued research and friendly approach. I wish you all the best”
Melania Bellesini, Head Sommelier of The Fat Duck Bray (2024)
“We love working with The WineBarn and have for almost a decade, but more importantly with Iris - an amazingly talented lady who is at the top of the wine industry and winning awards left, right and centre. German wine has been put on the map in such a great and powerful way, with not only the wines and regions at the forefront of everything that Iris wants to deliver, but the producers and the consumers also. From Riesling to Grauburgunder, the wines and knowledge of Iris and her team will not disappoint. An incredible joy to work with!”
Gavin Hills, Wine Director for The Hand and Flowers (2024)
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“My first stop for German Wine!
A wonderful range, but above all, a team with real passion and verve for what they do!”
Peter August, Wine Buyer for WSET School London (2023)
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"We’re ashamed to admit that we’ve been left in the dark when it comes to wines from Germany, believing them to be that sickly sweet nectar of the 1980s. Thanks to German wine experts The WineBarn, based just outside Winchester, we are now completely converted and intrigued to try more after having the pleasure of tasting Wirsching’s 2022 Scheurebe dry, as well as Becker's 2021 Petit Rosé dry. Both are excellent accompaniments to a summer picnic. The award-winning WineBarn truly live, breathe and love their wines!"
Elizabeth Kirby, Editor of Hampshire Life Magazine (2023)
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"What I can say, unreservedly is that I certainly like the formula of a mixed case, where I have a wide range of wine to try. It helps me determine those that I especially like. In fact, I have sitting on my desk one empty bottle to remind me of my favourite from the recent mix - the Kochan Platz 2020 Riesling Alte Reben (Old Vines) dry. It sits on my desk, since I have a memory like a sieve sometimes and need the help of a label sitting there to remind me precisely of the details. I can envision it - both as a perfect white to go with most of the seafood dishes I prepare - as well as a white wine to drink by itself."
Lady Alexandra Richardson (2023)
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"We very much enjoyed the Grauburgunder (Pinot Gris) and the Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). They were the two outstanding wines of the tasting, which was themed around Pinot wines. Every now and then we hold a Germany tasting, and I certainly know where to turn for quality German wines!"
David Brownridge (2023)
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"The event was absolutely amazing - one of the best in my career!
I was happy to be invited, and had an amazing day. I will never forget that I was invited to such a glorious event. Iris was wonderful, and I had a great time with her - she has a great personality. Splendid company, great collection of wines and the event was well presentable, sophisticated & in a lovely location. I thoroughly enjoyed the wine tasting."
Vinoy Wilson, Private Client (2023)
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"Being Patient Zero and still suffering with Chronic Riesling Dependency, I was delighted to receive an invitation to The WineBarn's Oxford tasting event.
Specialising in Germany, this was a snapshot not only of their undeniably high-quality range, but also modern Germany. With an array of wines to taste, and far from exclusively Riesling, it was an immersion back into a country I haven't visited for far too long.
All of the wines today offered wonderful value for money as well as an experience of what is happening in Germany's dynamic wine scene. I would urge you to explore The WineBarn's range, and get a few bottles for your own enjoyment."
Lee Isaacs, Private Client (2023)
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"A chance encounter with a Spätburgunder at a Michelin-starred restaurant in London led us to The WineBarn. Rarely drinking anything other than Pinot Noir, we are delighted with the range and quality of wines offered, as well as the fantastic, knowledgeable and friendly service. Ordering is simple and delivery efficient.The WineBarn is multi-award winning for very good reasons!"
Iain Cullen, Private Client (2022)
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"The wines are fantastic and The WineBarn is now my go to supplier of German wine. However, the reason i have decided to write a review is because of the peerless level of service I have recently received from them. They really do try to know all of their clients personally, have stepped in to sort out my errors out of hours, and then followed up to ensure things were correct and that I was happy. The quality of their wines goes without question, but added to this is their quick, efficient and personal service that is backed up by an admin and warehouse team that are first rate and fully engaged."
Duncan Maw, Private Client (2022)
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"Thank everyone at The WineBarn, and the producers who travelled from Germany, for such a lovely event. While I've been to plenty of wine tastings, I've never been to a portfolio tasting with producers present and confess I was a little anxious that it might be stuffy, formal or pretentious (especially given the venue), but my anxieties were entirely misplaced - it was a very relaxed, informal and enjoyable affair.
Keep up the good work, and I look forward to placing some orders. The Cabernet Sauvignon Sekt Brut from Weingut Kranz was the star of the show for me - amongst many other delights."
Nick Pisaka, Private Client & Annual Portfolio Tasting Guest (2022)
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Giuliano Malacarne, private client (2021)
James Humphrey-Evans, private client (2021)
Wine Writer, TV Presenter, Decanter Judge and Master of Wine (2021)
Presenter of The Drinks Coach (2021)
Gerard Basset
Master Sommelier and MBA Wine honours.
http://gerardbasset.com/
Jancis Robinson, OBE, MW
Neil Beckett, World of Wine
William Findlay, private client
Stephen Bourne, Chapter Clerk & Administrator, Ely Cathedral