Oakham man opens Uppingham-based wine importation business French Cellar

A restaurateur has set up a French wine importation business with hopes that it will be a corker.

Thomas Troisvallets moved to Rutland last year to be closer to family, having previously run restaurants in Germany.

The 49-year-old saw a gap in the English market for importing high-end French wine.

With a friend who is one of the largest distributors of wine in France, but who doesn’t import to England, Thomas decided to call on his connections and set up his own business, the French Cellar.

“The wines we will be selling aren’t available here,” he said.

“French wine is a lot different to English.”

Operating out of a base in Uppingham, the wine will be distributed to restaurants and sold on a website.

Thomas, who lives in Oakham, also hopes to hold tasting evenings at venues across the area and supply restaurants nationally.

“Rutland and Stamford are lucky to have lots of lovely restaurants and hotels. There is a chance to bring something new,” said Thomas.

The end goal for the business is to have a bricks and mortar store in the Stamford and Rutland area selling wine and charcuterie.

An invitation-only launch party will be held tomorrow (Friday, May 17) which will coincide with the website, www.frenchcellar.co.uk, going live.

Rutland is also home to The Rutland Vineyard in Ketton and Mallard Point in Essendine.

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