- Hicks & Don Wine Merchants
Founded 1966 - Wine Well Chosenmailbox@hicksanddon.co.uk
01747 824292
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Masters of Wine There are just 300 Masters of Wine spread across the globe so we are incredibly fortunate to have three on our buying team who between them have an aggregate of over 100 years' experience in the trade. |
Robin Don MWRobin's appreciation of wine started at Cambridge University where he was secretary of the Food and Wine Society, working alongside another future MW, David Peppercorn. The Varsity tasting matches in those days were often won by Cambridge, under the watchful eye of Harry Waugh. Clearly noticing a talented palate, Harry offered Robin a job at Harvey's of Bristol on three occasions. It was only after a two year stint working in a bank that Robin finally relented and found himself working at Harvey's offices in London and latterly in Bristol where he met Ronnie while working on the wine buying committee. Robin passed his MW exams in 1965 and, following the death of his father, moved back to the family estate in Norfolk where he still resides. Setting up his own wine merchants, R.S. Don Ltd, he soon joined forces with Ronnie to create Hicks & Don Wine Merchants Ltd in 1966. |
Ronnie Hicks MWRonnie Hicks MW joined John Harvey & Sons Limited in Bristol direct from National Service in 1961, where he took early and full advantage of the firm's excellent training programme, as well as daily visits to the tasting room. This happily resulted in him passing the Master of Wine examinations at the first attempt in 1966, when he was for a time the youngest MW. For many years since he has regarded Bordeaux as his second home and has enjoyed following the fortunes of its principal grape varieties around the world. Filling the decanter with economical dinner party "Claret" has been his main quest over the years and although now in retirement he still makes himself available to attend tastings, whether they be at Hicks & Don's new offices, in London or abroad. |
Anthony Barne MWAnthony passed his MW examination in 1985, having only joined the trade in 1978 following a career in the army. His interest in wine was developed while serving on the Governor of Gibraltar's staff and following a year in a wine shop and 6 months working at Domaine Thenard in Burgundy, Anthony joined Hicks & Don as the third wine buyer. He now divides his time between Hicks & Don and Bonhams Auction House in London where he is head of the UK Wine Department. Anthony has championed some great wines over the years and is known for his appreciation of Austrian wines having recently selected the delicious Domaine Gobelsburg Gruner Veltliner 2008 for our list. He also serves as a regional chair judge at the Decanter World Wine Awards. |