Michelin-star list for indie start-up The Wine Rooms Cambridge opened at the beginning of June on Hills Road. General manager John Jaswilowicz, who
has spent almost 20 years in the wine
trade, starting at Oddbins before stints at Planet of The Grapes and Vagabond, says his new role is a perfect fit for him.
Following a two-year break in Brazil
with his partner, Jasilowicz relocated from London to Cambridge after the couple
realised the capital was no longer for them. “I was a sommelier at Hotel du Vin
before I met Marcus [Edwards], who has a fine wine broking business called Albany Vintners,” explains Jasilowicz.
“He said he was setting up a wine shop/
bar/restaurant with a relaxed vibe but high quality stuff. I thought that was right up my street and so it all fell into place.”
The Wine Rooms Cambridge has two
floors and accommodates 50 covers. The wine list reflects the food focus: “small
menu, high quality, seasonal and changing regularly”.
Wine Rooms Cambridge has 50 covers spread over two floors
Jasilowicz says they were lucky enough
to get the opening range of wines from a Michelin-starred restaurant that was selling off its cellar.
“We want to be unique in terms of
pick great things and put them on straight away with no cumbersome machinations to work through,” says Jasilowicz.
• Jesmond could soon have a specialist
our offering,” he says, “and it just meant
independent wine shop again. The Jesmond
really nice old vintages of things – things
and artisan wine and spirits” from a unit in
Moving forward the business will be
West Jesmond Metro station closed in 2020
we could have our shelves looking very
Wine Company, a local wholesale business,
you just can’t get your hands on these
Clayton Road in the Newcastle upon Tyne
supplied by Albany Vintners. “We can just
after five decades of trading.
different to everyone else. We opened with
has applied for a licence to sell “premium
days.”
suburb. Richard Granger’s wine shop in the
THE WINE MERCHANT august 2021 4
