Time for wine – well, it’s six o’clock somewhere, right? Make a beeline for Eynsham Cellars, an independent wine merchant with an impressive selection from around the world. Whether you’re after a citrusy Chablis for a summer garden party, a bold Bordeaux for your next Sunday roast or a particular vintage for a gift, this is the one-stop shop for you. Their customers are such fans they’ve voted for this local biz to win Best Beer & Wine Specialist in the Muddy Stilettos Awards – not once, but twice. 

Based in Eynsham village between Oxford and Witney, Eynsham Cellars has been topping up glasses since 2010. Their focus is on smaller producers and the shop is packed to the rafters with over 500 different wines. Scour the shelves or join their wine club and sample a selection of wines every month or so. Even if you don’t know your Rioja from your Riesling, there’s no wine snobbery here – the staff are super-knowledgeable and will help you find the perfect bottle of plonk.

Not a wine lover? (I know, blasphemy!). Eynsham Cellars still has you covered with an assortment of local ales, spirits and low-alcohol options. The shop is open seven days a week, and if you aren’t a local they also deliver nationwide.

As well as the shop, the folk at Eynsham Cellars like to get out and about, and are often found hosting wine dinners at the Cherry Tree Café in Eynsham, details of which can be found on the website, socials or via their newsletter. You can also catch them at The Market Cellar Door in Oxford’s Covered Market, where you can sit and sample a glass (or two) or pick up a bottle to enjoy at home. If you’re closer to the Cotswolds then check out the tipples they supply to Fire and Wine in Milton-Under-Wychwood, where you can have fabulous Pizza and choose from over 200 wines (18 by the glass).

To top it off, Eynsham Cellars now hosts the annual Witney Wine Festival at the Corn Exchange in Witney on the first Saturday of October. There’ll be over 120 wines to taste at the next gathering, plus live music, great food, and a knowledgable crowd of producers and importers to corner for chinwags on all things grape-related. Sign us up!