A Message from Tina Jones

The past months have been a watershed. Businesses have had to twist and pivot as the economy has dived and swung. People have stepped up in amazing ways to help each other and to help their businesses and employers. We have begun to realize that we can pull together to make positive things happen in such a strange time. In our own shop, I saw the resourcefulness, dedication, and loyalty of our wine team. It was in these months, through all that was on my mind, I realized it was time to re-focus on who we are and what we represent. For more than 20 years, I have been the sole owner of Banville & Jones, and it occurred to me that for more than 20 years, we have actually been Jones and company—a company of amazing talents in a great team. In tribute to our amazing team, I made the decision to migrate this company into our business name—Jones & Company.

We are now Jones & Company Wine Merchants. We will continue to be about the love of great wine. We will continue our passion for learning and teaching. And we will continue to be about building relationships with the people we deal with around the world and the people who are right next door.

This issue takes those values into words and pictures. Mike Muirhead has been in touch with some of our producer friends who have been with us for a long time and introduces us to their lives. Sylvia Jansen explores what trading fairly with families in Europe means for us. She also takes us on a nostalgic tour of one of my favourite cities— Barcelona—and Gary Hewitt takes us to the interesting corner of Green Spain. Ricki-Lee Podolecki shares some interesting developments in Rioja, and Rob Stansel talks Sherry. And Jill Kwiatkoski and Sylvia have collaborated to bring you an amazing curated Spanish tasting menu. All in all, we have a lot of excitement to share with you!

We look forward to talking with you about change. And our future. And shopping local, globally.

Tina Jones