The Winebuff Blog

Archive for the ‘Wine Buff News’ Category

The Wine Buff goes International.

Oct
25
2011

The Wine Buff opened its first non-Irish shop this October in Plasencia Spain, which is situated about 200km west of Madrid. The franchise was opened by Asun Manzano Sanchez-Ocaña.  Asun is extremely excited about her new adventure and proudly states, “I am now part of The Wine Buff International family.”

 

Asun, a pharmacist by profession, sold her pharmacy in 2009 and was searching for a rewarding business opportunity when she encountered The Wine Buff. Asun is confident The Wine Buff’s concept of extraordinary wines @ ordinary prices, suits the Spanish market, especially in the current economic climate. So confident in fact, she has plans for two further boutiques in Salamanca and Caceres.

The opening of the new Wine Buff shop was attended by over 250 visitors to the shop and the selection of French wine is proving a winner with the Spanish customers.  

The NEW !! Wine Buff Ranelagh

Oct
05
2011

The Wine Buff launched a new store in Ireland on Friday the 30th of September, when Ivor Geraghty opened his new Wine Buff shop at 51 Cullenswood Road on the Triangle in the centre of Ranelagh village, Dublin 6. 

Ivor is a true local having been born and reared in the area and now lives only a five minute stroll from the shop.

Ivor has strong business backgrounds, he “did the state some service” for over thirty years before deciding that providing the good people of South Dublin with great wine might be even more satisfying! During this time Ivor was also working as a music critic and radio presenter and it was here that he learned that while there might be such things as a free lunch, free wine just isn’t worth lifting the glass for!

Having learned about wine from long languid holidays in Italy it was only when Ivor became familiar with The Wine Buff range that he truly appreciated the qualities of a good French and Spanish wine.

“In fact it was a chance gift of  French wine bought in The Wine Buff Clonmel, which introduced me to both the wines and the shops!, I did some further research on the businees and of course the wines and the rest is history” said Ivor.

So call in for a chat when we are open or a taste during Wine Time  at weekends. Ivor will be delighted to take you through our range of wines and his favourites.

Outstanding Small Business Awards

Mar
04
2006

Outstanding Small Business.

The Wine Buff received a Highly Commended Award in the Outstanding Small Business category for 2006.

According to Angela Kennedy, Awards Director, “the aim of the awards is to celebrate the achievement, innovation and excellence of small business in Ireland and to pay tribute to their outstanding contribution to Irish industry. In 2005, more than 2,000 new businesses were started every month in Ireland which is a true barometer of our pro-innovation culture. The SFA see this Awards Programme as a major platform to both recognize and foster this new entrepreneurial talent and culture throughout the country spurring on creativity and employment which ultimately drives our economic development”.

‘Entrants this year showed the great diversity of the companies throughout the length and breadth of Ireland. The judges were very impressed by both the quality and standard of the many applications received and this made their task even more difficult”.

Finalist Franchise Awards

Oct
14
2005

The Wine Buff has been chosen as a finalist in the 2005 Irish Franchising awards. This competition is held each year by the Irish Franchise association.

The Wine Buff is a finalist in the category of Best Emerging Franchise. Other finalists include The Bagel Bar and Contours Express.

“We are delighted to be considered for this award, and to be included in such esteemed company”, said Mike McDonnell of The Wine Buff. “In these awards we are competing with world-class franchising companies and it is very gratifying for our franchisees who work diligently to ensure exceptional customer service and value to our customers”

The winner will be announced at the Hilton Hotel Dublin on November 4th.