About Independent Wine
The UK’s leading specialist in award-winning Italian wine
Meet Independent Wine
Award-winning Italian wines
Independent Wine is the UK’s leading specialist in award-winning Italian wine and is Decanter’s Best Small Online Wine Retailer of the Year 2022.
Read about us in Decanter Magazine: “Meet Italian wine’s online champion, boasting more than 50 Decanter medal winners”.
In March 2022, Elvira and Oleg – company’s founders – organised Sunflower Scotland (registered charity SC052092) to help Ukraine. They have opened a branch in Kharkiv to deliver aid to frontline villages.
100% British business
We are a 100% British limited company (Company no. 12056729). We are registered in the UK Government Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme. We are a member of The Italian Chamber of Commerce.
All our wines are already in the UK, and when you buy from us you will not be hit with surprise customs charges.
Exclusive wines from small wineries
We purchase all our wine directly from small, family-owned wineries in Italy, without intermediaries. Often, only 1,000 – 1,500 bottles of high-value wine is made each year. Such wines are truly exclusive and show a specific terroir. Needless to say, they’re too tiny for big retail.
Sustainable wine cellar
Our wine cellar is in the historic centre of Edinburgh by the Water of Leith. Naturally cool and humid all year round, it has near-zero environmental impact. All our packaging is plastic-free.
Tree planted with every order
We partner with Ecologi and fund reforestation projects in Mozambique, Kenya, Madagascar and Uganda. By placing any order with us, you fund planting a tree and offset your carbon footprint. Click here to see our forest.
Personalised Italian wine advice
Our team are experts in Italian wine. Tell us about your preferences and we will provide a personalised recommendation specifically for you. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
We stand for Ethical Online Selling
We think that it’s unethical to spy on our customers online. That’s why we don’t use third party “tracking cookies” to identify your device, track your visits to other websites or collect your personal data. Read our privacy policy to find out more.
UK Government Alcohol Wholesaler Registration Scheme (AWRS), License no. XGAW00000113868
Recognition
The Drinks Business Award 2021
Fine Wine Specialist of the Year, Shortlisted
IWC Specialist Merchant Awards
Italy Finalist 2021
Company details
- Registered in England. Company no. 12056729
- VAT number GB333890293
- EORI GB333890293000
- DUNS 225153298
UK wine cellar and warehouse
We take wine storage very seriously. Bottles are always kept on their sides, to make sure the corks are wet and no oxygen can sneak in.
Our warehouse is situated inside a stone Victorian building in Edinburgh, in a glen cooled by the river, and the temperature is kept at 10-15°C all year round.
We only import wine from Italy between October and April to avoid heat damage in transit.
Put simply, we love what we do because we are really passionate about high quality Italian wine. We are delighted to serve customers who share this passion.
Meet the team
Elvira Dmitrieva – Founder and CEO
BA and Diploma in Accounting, Audit and Business Administration
Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Wines (with Distinction)
With more than 20 years of experience in project management, accounting and finance, operational strategies and health and safety, Elvira has a truly holistic view of business.
Before starting Independent Wine, she served as Operations Manager at Pufferfish Ltd – a pioneer of dynamic spherical display systems with clients such as NASA, Deloitte, Rolls Royce, Audi and the BBC. She’s also worked as an Operations Manager at a compressor factory in Edinburgh, as well as in finance with Deloitte, Arthur Andersen and several start-ups.
Oleg Dmitriev “Wine Geek”, IWS, MBA – Founder, Wine Buyer
EMBA, London Business School and Columbia University in the City of New York, 2012
Italian Wine Scholar (IWS) with Highest Honours, Wine Scholar Guild
Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit.
Twenty years of management experience in the software engineering, telecommunications, manufacturing and space sectors.
Awards: Innovator of the Year, Scotland (2018), Inventor of the Year, Scotland (2017); winner of the British Venture Capital Association’s “Venture-backed Management Team” award in Scotland. Three patents, five peer-reviewed research papers published by the IMechE.
Oleg Dmitriev in the press
Jemma Porter – Editor
Jemma holds a BA(hons) in Public Relations and Media, as well as a Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 3 Award in Wines. She’s currently reading towards the WSET Level 4 Diploma.
She has over ten years experience in digital copywriting and editing for numerous British household names across the fashion, travel and lifestyle industries.
Independent proof of quality
Our wines have won awards or high scores from independent experts
No joining fees. No monthly charges
Pay exactly what’s on the price tag – and enjoy top quality wine
We love helping customers
Get in touch! 0333 577 1417
contact@independent.wine