Sign In / Register
The owner/operator of the new liquor outlet in Moana Avenue, Orewa, Girish Patel, is offering customers much more than a place to buy beer, spirits and wines.
His assistant manager, Bastiaan Bussen, is a graduate of the NZ School of Food & Wine in Auckland, with a Level 2 Sommelier Certificate.
Bastiaan says his aim is to make the shop a place where he can share his passion for wine with customers and, in the process, help people to learn more about regional and imported wines.
“No-one can ever say they are an ‘expert’ in wine because so many things impact on the quality of wine from year to year,” he says. “We are all constantly learning.”
Girish, who also owns Liquor Town in Albany, says he has noticed already that Orewa customers are in a mature age bracket and are more discerning drinkers.
“We are being very careful about what we put on the shelves,” he says. “We want to give people choice, but we also want to encourage people to be a little adventuresome too.”
As well as gradually developing a regional wine section, the shop is also stocking a range of craft beers to meet growing demand.
Girish says prices are competitive and the prices on many of the ‘specials’ won’t change.
“We want people to know that if they get a bottle of spirits on special, then chances are that next time they buy one, the price won’t have changed.”
Being privately owned, the shop is able to take one-off requests, which they try to meet within days, if possible.
They also welcome enquiries from anyone planning a special event.
“Whether it’s large or small, we can give advice on wine selection and quantities, do free delivery and can negotiate a special price, all for not extra charge.”
Girish says in future, he is also keen to be involved with community projects through sponsorship.
