What is The CollectEve and how did it come about?
The CollectEve is a collective of 12 dynamic female-led wine importing companies, each with her unique taste, background, and approach to wine. We celebrate our differences, bringing a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives to the table; all of us operating across the UK covering all sectors of the trade.
It came about like all good ideas: around a good bottle of wine and a bit of banter. What brought us together is that we are independent business owners who can help each other to be more successful and promote the fabulous producers we work with.
Which importers are involved in The CollectEve?
Iris Ellmann of Wine Barn is one of the 12 CollectEve founding members
The founding members are: Basket Press Wines, Déjà Bu Wines, Ealing Wine Cellars, Emile Wines, Marta Vine, Museum of Sake, Okanagan Roots, Special Cases, Sustainable Wine Solutions, The Wine Barn, Vinos Latinos, and Vins-Clairs.
Why have you decided to come together now to join your forces?
Collective tastings are an established format in the wine trade landscape. They are a fantastic way for buyers and journalists to discover a broad range of wines under one roof. Our event will showcase the diversity of wines and sake present in the UK market. It simply made sense and we really wanted to have as many countries as possible represented in the tasting.
When was the last time you went to a tasting where you could taste Czech Riesling, Japanese sake or Canadian Chardonnay alongside the usual suspects from France and Italy…
Were you surprised by the number of female-owned wine importers there are in the UK?
No, they’ve always been around, think of the legendary Hilary Gibbs from Domaine Direct who, in the 80’s, single handedly imported some of most renowned Burgundy wineries there will ever be (Roulot, Dauvissat, Roumier etc). We’re just business owners with a can-do attitude towards importing producers we think are phenomenal.
However, being part of a collective elevates the experience to another level. It feels incredibly special, almost magical. I suppose it's the power of sisterhood at play.
What sort of wine ranges do you have?
Marta Vine imports wines from across Europe and around the world
The CollectEve tasting will showcase wines and sake from 12 specialist importers and feature the dynamic and diverse work they do with producers from across Western and Central Europe, the US, Canada, South America and Japan. Expect a range of 150 plus wines on show, all with a strong focus on sustainability, considered farming and the true expression of terroir.
And do you put a focus on importing female winemakers and producers too?
No. There is often a woman hiding behind every label, whether their name is on it or not. We just want good wines.
You have a tasting coming up in London - what is that about?
This is our first event and members of the trade and press can come and see what we’re all about.It is a great opportunity for time-pressed buyers to taste from a diverse range of portfolios, all under one roof.
Carla Bertellotti of Vinos Latinos
It's not all about wine - you have some sake to show too?
Yes, the world of wine is diverse, and sake has become a regular staple for sommeliers in wine pairings beyond Japanese food. Maybe there will be other types of beverages next year.
Who is the tasting aimed at?
It is aimed at wine professionals, trade buyers, sommeliers and journalists.
Do you have other projects and ways you are looking to work together as part of The CollectEve?
Who knows. It’s still early days but we intend to make this a yearly event.We’ve already done a pop up at Borough Market. We are open to doing more things.
By uniting people with shared passions and goals, the potential for what we can achieve grows exponentially. We're excited to explore. The spirit of collaboration within CollectEve is strong, and we're eager to see where it takes us next.
Tell us more about the pop up store you did in Borough Market - how did that come about and what happened?
Muriel Chatel of Sustainable Wine Solutions helped host a pop up shop that brought wines from each of the CollectEve members together
The pop-up took place at Borough Wines, owned by Muriel Chatel’s Sustainable Wine Solutions, a proud member of our collective. Muriel, captivated by the diversity and exclusivity of the selections presented by all the Eves, sought to highlight the women responsible for these meticulously curated lists. She recognised this as an invaluable opportunity to bridge the gap between importers and consumers.
Typically, importers serve as the unseen link, rarely stepping into the public eye. This event offered a unique and humbling experience for consumers, allowing them a glimpse into the intricate world of wine importation. The feedback from the event has been incredible, with customers really engaging - as a result Borough Wines has decided to make it something permanent.
Are you open to other female importers and wine merchants joining the group? If so what do they have to do?
Yes, they can fill out an application form which you can get by emailing us on info@thecollecteve.co.uk. We want participants who will really bring something different to the group with a can-do attitude and be a force for good.
Caroline Brangé owner of Ealing Wine Cellars
Do you see collaboration as the way forward for smaller businesses and importers to have a louder voice?
Collaborative tastings are an established way for like-minded importers to grow their reach in the wine industry, promoting the producers they work with. They have a more direct impact on the targeted audience we want to reach.
Sharing resources, networks, know-how and everything else has been incredibly useful and saves time as we all have different expertise so we can share the tasks between us.
There are a lot of independent importers out there and collaboration is one of the many tools with a proven track record of success.
Anything else to say?
The CollectEve’s ambition is to operate like a network focusing on ‘collaboration over competition’ and emphasising the health of the planet and communities. By leveraging our diverse backgrounds and unique perspectives, we hope to play our part in pushing the boundaries of how wine can be brought to market - ethically, sustainably, and inclusively.
* The CollectEve tasting takes placed at 67 Pall Mall on April 22 between 10am and 4pm. You can register for the tasting here.
