Gemma Withenshaw, Founder, VINGIN. Picture: Dorset Biz News.
Published: November 15, 2020 | Updated: 15th November 2020
To say that Gemma Withenshaw’s passion for wine began at an early age is something of an understatement.
She was crushing grapes almost as soon as she could walk.
Gemma said: “I was raised on a farm where my Dad grew grapes in the greenhouse to make wine.
“I often watched as he crushed the grapes in a large bucket with his bare feet.
“At first I was horrified.
“Then I joined in and my love of wine began.”
There was another big early influence.
Gemma’s grandfather, a Dutch businessman, collected wine in his underground cellar.
But it frequently flooded, removing the wine labels.
As a result, every meal involving wine became a blind tasting.
Fair to say, then, that Gemma had well and truly got the taste for wine.
Little surprise then that she eventually went on to do a degree in hospitality administration and management at Bournemouth University before opting for a career in the wine trade.
Over the course of the next 18 years Gemma quickly moved up the corporate ladder as she worked for two large UK wine importers and a global wine platform connecting buyers and sellers with bulk wine.
She also regularly hosted wine and spirits tasting events and acted as a brand ambassador for a large number of quality wineries.
Gemma’s experience developed as she travelled around the globe’s vineyards, further developing her appreciation and knowledge.
Meanwhile, and true to Gemma’s Dutch heritage, she was becoming a huge fan of the Dutch-founded spirit, gin, regularly seeking out new gins and cocktail experiences,
And so to April this year – the month after lockdown – when Gemma decided to bring her twin passions together and launch VINGIN.
Gemma, 43, said: “I wanted to spread my love of wine and gin and create a fun social environment as well as take the snobbery out of things.
“Since the first lockdown, I have been hosting many free wine and gin tastings on Zoom.
“It’s allowed people to meet and enjoy a drink together while learning and discovering something new.
“People have commented to me on how it’s given them something to look forward to and helped get them through this tough period.”
VINGIN’s virtual Friday night wine/gin event at 8pm has now become a firm favourite.
Regular participants range in age from their 30’s to mid-70s.
Gemma, who lives in Broadstone and is married to Chris, 45, with two children Chase, eight, and Bradley, six, said: “There’s a lot of banter but the more serious part, describing the wine, passing on tips etc lasts for 40 minutes.
“Then people can log back in and have a chat which makes it even more of a social occasion.”
November is gin month with a different gin from the tasting pack tried each week.
Forthcoming Friday night tastings include:
Gemma also organises virtual friends and family and corporate wine and gin tastings.
She said “It’s a fun interactive wine or gin experience. guided by me, and connected via Zoom with friends, family, or colleagues in a safe, private group setting.
“It’s a one-hour wine tasting journey in a relaxed, interactive and informative Zoom environment.
“You can taste wine according to your chosen theme and package.
“It’s an energising and engaging way to keep connected and can include interactive live polls, chats, games and videos throughout.”
Gemma can even arrange hand-selected food choices to be added to virtual wine tastings including locally sourced seasonal cheese and a selection of handcrafted chocolates.
And with the festive season fast approaching, Gemma is currently running a series of gin tastings, with an emphasis on Christmas and winter cocktails.
She plans to finish 2020 with a virtual Christmas drinks party.
Meanwhile Gemma is also providing consultancy services to the wine and spirit trade.
From helping create wine lists and training staff to assisting with new product launches and drinks marketing.
So any regrets about leaving the corporate world and starting up VINGIN?
She said: “Absolutely not.
“It’s so much fun and I love the fact that people look forward to ‘wine’ or ‘gin o’clock’ on a Friday night.
“It’s amazing really because you’d think that wine tasting would be one of the biggest casualties of the pandemic as it involves people coming together.
“But actually it works really well on Zoom and people like it.
“And I get to indulge my twin passions of wine and gin.
“What’s not to love?
