Team

As an independently owned business, we know our team are our best assets.

We’re proud to say many of our team have been with us for decades – which either means we’re treating them too nicely, they enjoy it too much – or perhaps a bit of both..!

All our team members, from back office to warehouse to front of house, have a passion for our products – and for many, this has led to qualifications with the Wine and Spirits Education Trust (WSET) ensuring we can give the best impartial and knowledgable advice we are able to.

Julian Kaye Yorkshire Wine Merchant

Julian Kaye

Managing Director

Julian joined the WWC back in 1991, fresh from working in Bordeaux, Burgundy, and The Languedoc.

Having been given a bottle of 50 year old whisky by company founder Bob Wright (instead of a pay rise) Julian was set on the path of becoming a whisky collector and well as a wine expert.

In 1995, after passing both parts of his WSET Diploma, he won scholarships to the Languedoc, Australia (with BRL Hardy) and California (with the Wine Institute of California).

Bob and Eileen not wanting to loose such talent (his words!) made him a junior partner in 1996. Since the passing of Mr Wright in 2012, Julian assumed full control.

He’s been all over having completed wine trips to Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Germany, Portugal and France.  Having first started going to the Hebridean isle of Islay when he was 10, one could say he is somewhat of an aficionado of Islay’s many fine whiskies. With his passion for whisky, and in recognition of his work in the industry, Julian was appointed a ‘Keeper of the Quaich’ by the Scotch Whisky industry in 2005.

Having been here over 25 years, he knows a thing or two, be it classed growth Bordeaux or a new gin on the market.  Don’t get him doing his “Basil Fawlty” impression or talking about his vast whisky collection.

Katy Pinder
Katie Pinder, Retail ManagerKatie joined the company in 2005 from the restaurant trade and has become the backbone of the Wright Wine Company’s retail operation. The title, ‘Retail Manager’ is quite humble for what she does on a day to day basis, combined with her encyclopedic knowledge.
Maree Duckmanton, Office Manager
Maree Duckmanton, Office ManagerMaree joined us in 1996, coming from the hotel industry and knows our business inside and out. She is proficient across all areas of the business, and her efficiency and management skills keep the Wright Wine cogs turning as they should.
Andrew Nelson - Wright Wine Company
Andrew Nelson – Account ManagerAndrew is our Account Manager – building strong relationships with our existing and new wholesale customers.He can turn his hand to most aspects of the business – from shop to trade sales, warehouse to logistics and is often referred to as ‘Julian’s right hand man’.
Stella Mallinson, Retail & Admin
Stella Mallinson, Retail & AdminJoined us in 2017 after being a wholesale customer for many years. With her witty humour and incredible experience she is a great asset to the team.Stella’s held a Bradford City season ticket for more than 25 years, enjoys riding horses and partial to a quality beer too.
Les Hall, Retail Sales
Les Hall, Retail SalesAfter working in Law for just under 20 years, Les made a slight change and started up the real-ale and craft-beer landmark, The Sparrow in Bradford for 7 years. Now he thinks he’s chosen a more simple life, and is all ours! A real ale lover, and our second Bradford City season ticket holder..
Marc Patrick - Delivery & Warehouse
Marc Patrick – Delivery & WarehouseThe ‘face of the Wright Wine Company’ – he sees most of our customers each and every week (since 2004!). Always conscious of their busy times and service requirements, he’s discreet, courteous and a trusted asset.
Joe
JoeBurnley supporter Joe has been working with us since he was knee-high – joining straight from University. Since then he’s completed Fork Lift and WSET wine training, so please challenge him with your mixed wine case ordering – he loves it!
Eileen Wright, Matriarch
Eileen Wright, Matriarch
Nic Adams, MW
Nic Adams, MWNick has known and worked with Julian and The Wright Wine Company for over 10 years, initially in partnership with the prestigious Michelin-starred hotel and restaurant Northcote in Lancashire. This role has since expanded into other areas of support, advice and consultancy.
Andrew Stark- Marketing Consultant
Andrew Stark- Marketing ConsultantA lover of spirits in particular, he’s a regular visitor to the isle of Islay, as well as the Scottish highlands – often arranging convenient stops at distilleries much to his children’s ‘delight’. Starky is our ‘marketing chap’.
Bowmore & Woody
Bowmore & WoodyMrs. Kaye prevented Julian from naming his children after distilleries – so he named one of his dogs Bowmore. The other is called Woody, which is easier to shout out than “Bunnahabhain”.