Philglas & Swiggot

Specialties

When we first started, we believed that there was the need for a good, down to earth, friendly and helpful specialist wine shop offering a range of interesting wines from mostly smaller producers. A sort of antidote to the increasing anonymity and sameness of the big chain stores.

That’s not to say that we go out of our way to source weird and eccentric wines, but we do believe in «Life after Chardonnay» and we do our best to seek out the absolute best style and quality from each region of the world… and if we don’t find anything that fits the bill we won’t list a wine just to be able to tick a box.

We are just as enthusiastic about wines today as we were when we started in 1991 and we promise to remain as focused as ever on quality wines, interesting wines, down to earth advice and friendly and helpful service… all the things you would expect from your favourite independent wine merchant.

History

Established in 1991.

Battersea’s Northcote Road two decades later, is a very different place than when we first established the shop. We are amongst the oldest shopkeepers here, along with the two local butchers who are several generations old. We’ve built up a very strong local following and proud to be celebrating 21 years. Our customers have grown up with us and it’s scary but we are now seeing their sons and daughters shop with us!

We recently invested in a new shopfront to update the old 1970s one, so the shop is now much more open and bright.

We had a an extra wide bespoke front door made especially to fit the double buggies of Nappy Valley (as our area is nicknamed). We are constantly making sure that the shop is as comfortable and inviting as possible.

The shop attracts many overseas visitors from Sweden to Australia and increasingly more local French clientele.

21 years old in 2012 — ageing well

Meet the Business Owner

Karen R.

Business Owner

Opened Philglas & Swiggot with her husband Mike in 1991. Together they opened two more wine shops in London and now celebrate 21 years in the wine business. Karen was voted one of the Industry’s Top 10 Most Inspiring People in Wine by leading figures in the drinks industry (Harpers Wine Magazine 2008).

«Philglas & Swiggot has built up an international reputation from its humble base on the fashionable Northcote Road in Battersea, London. It is recognised as one of the friendliest and most innovative wine merchants in the country.»