I wanted to find out more about House of Townend and their wines, so asked a few questions…

Can you tell me about the history of the House of Townend?

Our history began with sport in the city of Hull, where we still operate today. The business was started by Jack Townend, a professional Rugby player for Hull Football Club. His popularity as a sportsman led to him opening a pub named the Rugby House in 1983. He then began to establish himself as a grocer before specialising solely in wine and spirits.

Post WW1, Jack was joined by his sons Charles and Jack. In 1934, John Ernest Townend took control of the business and ran it passionately until his move into politics in 1992. Current owner John Charles Townend carries his family’s deep passion for wine forward into the modern era, having expanded the business into a more wholesale focused sector as well as the acquisition of the Lakeland Vintners in 2012. Now over 110 years old, House of Townend remains a firm favourite for fine wine collectors and wine consumers across the UK.

What difference does being a family run business make?

The experience that the Townend family bring to the business can’t be overstated – they have travelled the globe to source the finest wines and build relationships with enviable vineyards. It’s also a more welcoming and inclusive place to work as a result of these family values. There are 63 people who work for the company, averaging over 10 years service each.

How do you choose the wines you sell?

Every single wine is chosen with an audience in mind. We cater to everyone – from casual drinkers to collectors. We source all of our wine from regions and vineyards across the globe and aim to offer something to suit all tastes.

What’s your favourite wine?

It depends on the weather. If it’s warm, a crisp dry white. If it’s colder or late into an evening, nothing beats a bold red such as a rich Malbec, a briary Shiraz or a fine Bordeaux.

What would you recommend for lockdown?

If it is a warm and sunny day in your back garden, where we would recommend something light and refreshing such as the Macon Azé Cuvée Jules Ricard 2016. Otherwise, a rich red in the evening would be our choice as early Spring still has plenty of colder nights in which sipping a rich and plump red such as Irvine Springhill Merlot from Australia, can bring comfort and make you dream of distant shores.