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Independent wine shop and tasting room John Dory to open in Sandgate next month

A new wine shop and tasting room is set to open in a former antique furniture store next month.

John Dory in Sandgate is a joint venture from the team behind Space Bar and Kitchen in Folkestone and a pair of local wine experts, Zeren Wilson and Louisa Walls.

A new wine shop and tasting room called John Dory is set to open in Sandgate. Picture: Zeren Wilson
A new wine shop and tasting room called John Dory is set to open in Sandgate. Picture: Zeren Wilson

The shop will offer visitors a range of more than 150 well-chosen wines, as well as food boards featuring tinned fish, cheese, charcuterie and terrines all served with locally-baked bread from the Docker bakery.

It will occupy the building on Sandgate High Street which was formerly home to the Old English Pine shop.

Andy Shorten, from Space Bar and Kitchen, said: "We're beyond excited to have been able to secure such a beautiful premises for our wine venture.

"Having benefited from Zeren's wine expertise at Space for a few years now, we're delighted he's fully involved in this project."

Mr Wilson works as a wine consultant and has helped numerous restaurants and bars in Kent and beyond draw up their wine lists.

Zeren Wilson is a wine consultant and food writer from Folkestone. Picture: Zeren Wilson
Zeren Wilson is a wine consultant and food writer from Folkestone. Picture: Zeren Wilson

He said: "There's a growing community of people in Folkestone and Sandgate who are keen to explore all the new food offerings which have arrived on the scene in recent years, and with that comes an interest in wine.

"It feels like the perfect moment to be opening something wine-focused here."

The new shop will offer around 20 wines by the glass, and customers can get free local delivery for bottles they decide to buy.

Ms Walls, who is originally from the area and recently returned from two years living among the vines of Provence, says the new venture is the realisation of a long-held dream.

"To be opening a wine shop in my hometown and with such a great team of people is really more than I could ever have imagined," she said.

Louisa Walls is part of the team behind the new John Dory wine shop in Sandgate. Picture: Louisa Walls
Louisa Walls is part of the team behind the new John Dory wine shop in Sandgate. Picture: Louisa Walls

"The important thing for me is to be able to share fantastic wines at every price point, things that can't be found at the supermarket."

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