David Borwick

Jesmond Dene House in Newcastle-upon-Tyne

David Borwick is the Head Sommelier at Jesmond Dene House in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Originally from Cumbria, he was trained at Sharrow Bay and the Hotel du Vin group before coming to the north east in 2006, and won the Scottish & Northern England final of the Sommelier of the Year Competition in 2008. David has worked vintages in South Africa and the Loire Valley, and is a Certified Educator for the Wine and Spirit Education Trust. He has spent the last five years persuading people to drink more Riesling and plans to spend the next five persuading them to drink more sherry.

Karl Laczko

Karl Laczko's enthusiasm for wine began when he received tasting vouchers 4 years ago but is a self-confessed amateur in the truest sense of the word as he continues to show no signs of ever earning any income from his wine obsession! As such he continues his day job as a Geneticist and computer specialist working for a Medical Imaging Systems company in Gateshead, however, he has immersed himself into the world of wine to the point where he has made a network of contacts across the world including winemakers, critics, writers and retailers mostly by clever use of something most of us have easy, everyday access to ? the internet.

An occasional writer for the American Wine Blog Reign of Terroir under his pseudonym Greybeard, Karl is a regular participant at North East wine events and a member of the North East Wine Tasting Society. He spent a week working at a winery in the Côtes du Ventoux in the South of France during the 2008 harvest and tries to make sure vacation destinations are within an hour of a local vineyard!

Born in Carlisle, raised in Dumfries with a jet-setting day job Karl is an Anglo-Hungarian Scot and global citizen with an eclectic taste in wine to match favouring Riesling, Tokaji Aszu and Lebanese Reds but never missing a chance to try a new grape variety or wine style - as his membership of the Wine Century Club confirms.

Download my information on 'Wine on the Web' here - PDF format

Vine Visit

Vine Visit Ltd offers an exciting choice of wine holidays starting from the North East, and a regular programme of courses, tastings and wine dinners at a number of venues in the region, led by Helen Savage of the Association of Wine Educators (and wine writer for The Journal). There's something for everyone, beginner or experienced wine buff. Holiday destinations this autumn include Bordeaux, Champagne and Chablis and Catalonia. We’re also delighted to arrange something just for you – a tasting, wine dinner or weekend in a vineyard region for a small group. For full details please see our website: www.vinevisit.com

Massimo de Nardo

Fasol Menin is a family owned winery that specialises in the production of Prosecco Superiore di Valdobbiadene DOCG

The winery (or cantina) sits within its own vineyards in the hills around Valdobbiadene, the traditional heart of the Prosecco growing area and now home to the Guaranteed Reserve Superiore.

The winery is new but has been designed with sympathy for the landscape and represents the spirit of the owners, Silvana and Massimo de Nardo.

This dynamic couple with their great sensitivity for local, national and international artists have created a place dedicated to art; the art of making superb Prosecco alongside regular musical events, theatre and exhibitions of painting, sculpture and photography.

To this warm environment where Bacchus and the Muses come together, Silvana and Massimo offer a personal welcome to their visitors. They share with them their knowledge of the winery and explain how best to enjoy their award-winning Prosecco Superiore Brut and Extra Dry wines.

Fasol Menin Prosecco wines are only available directly from the winery or online (including phone) and can be shipped worldwide. In the UK, Fasol Menin wines are available from our UK partner Stuart Colmer who stocks the full range and deals with orders quickly, accurately and on time.

Fasol Menin Award Winning Wines

Cama : Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Brut
Leonte : Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Extra Dry
Facci Botte Raboso DOC 2006

Ian Cobham

Ian Cobham discovered wine riding his bicycle in Burgundy, France. 

He had originally moved to France to race but once he discovered the jewels of Burgundy the training went downhill and the tasting increased. 

After two years at wine college in England, Ian returned to France to make wine in the south of France and then moved on to Bordeaux where he ran the cellar at Chateau St. Georges in St. Emilion. 

Upon his return to England, a stint in the wine trade in London convinced Ian that there was more to life than the bottom line and he moved into the fascinating world of the sommelier.

Michael Jobling

We are a small family business run by Michael Jobling and his niece, Torie Jackson.  Based in the North East but with a national distribution, we began in 1988 with a modest 45 wines and a hopeful list of friends and acquaintances.  We have now grown our wine stock to
a carefully chosen but eclectic list of around 300.

We specialise in finding interesting wines from smaller growers as well as sourcing good value wines from the larger producers.  All are wines that we would personally choose to drink.  Our focus is private customers throughout mainland Britain as well as quality restaurants within the North East.

Pick up the phone and you can speak to one or other of us.  Or we will phone you back if we’re a bit tied up when you call.  We are happy to offer advice and have few rules which means we can be very flexible and will always try to go that extra mile.

Michael Jobling Wines Ltd - PO Box 90, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE20 0WZ 

t: 0191 3784 554   -  info@michaeljoblingwines.com 
f: 0191 3784 554   -  http://www.michaeljoblingwines.com

Maureen Scott Quartet

Mo, who has established a reputation through performances at major jazz and blues festivals, is
regarded as one of the most exciting female singers around.

Carrying on in the tradition of the great female vocalists, she perform a variety of music ranging from the most ‘delicate’ of jazz ballads to ‘hot’ blues.

The Quartet -featuring guitarist Rod Sinclair - sees Mo leading a band that can truly swing and groove and provide the perfect back drop for some great songs

The Mo Scott & Rod Sinclair Quartet

‘Mo's voice swelled, swayed, blossomed and
growled, and Rod Sinclair's brilliant guitar and slide
work provided just the right sort of balance to keep our feet on the ground’ Larry Winger, Northumbrian Music Nights.

 ‘Tyneside's definitive blues outfit combines the sultry voice of ‘Mo Scott with Rod Sinclair's stunning bottleneck guitar virtuosity.’

Stanley Blues Festival 2000.