How two tons of grapes became Two Tun wine (From This Is Local London)

How two tons of grapes became Two Tun wine

7:41am Sunday 26th November 2006 in

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"Ideas that you come up with in the pub usually stay right there. There is a reason for this but, just this once, the idea of buying a couple of tons of grapes stuck."

This is the story of two wine traders who, bored with staring at spreadsheets all day, bought two tons of grapes and six barrels and made wine with the help of friends.

Guy Smith from Twickenham, and his business partner Richard Addison from Wimbledon, are living their dream after years of working together in the Fairtrade and organic wine business.

For the first time, they are selling their own wine, Two Tun.

"We bought two tons of Shiraz and the same amount of Chenin grapes," explained Guy.

After conceiving the idea the pair contacted a friend in the Riebeek valley, South Africa and asked for his advice on the best grapes. He pointed out a vineyard below Porcelain Hill.

Rather than investing in the vineyard Guy and Richard were able to pick the best quality grapes and then set about making their wine.

"We went over and saw the grapes coming in and took pictures of it," said Guy. "The guy who makes the wine is like a builder and we are like the architects."

The wine was fermented in French oak barrels. The pair made a decision not to filter it, but just to occasionally skim off any sediment to keep it clear.

Guy said: "We took advice, but we had a clear idea of what we wanted. We have two quite different opinions of what we like. Between the two of us we came up with something we both liked."

The result is 1,800 bottles of wine which are being sold solely in south-west London, with Twickenham's Real Ale Shop stocking both bottles and cases.