Wine
At the heart of Hand Picked Hotels
Wine has been a passion of our founders, Julia and Guy Hands, for many years, who have been fortunate to travel to many wine-producing areas around the world and meet some incredible wine producers. Knowing the history and love that has gone into every bottle that can be enjoyed across our collection is a privilege and a joy that we are delighted to share with our guests as part of our carefully curated wine list.
A legacy of wine
Our commitment to wine starts with our founders. When they acquired the historic Villa Saletta estate in Tuscany in 2000, they embarked on a loving restoration, carefully preserving the age-old winemaking practices while bringing new life to this remarkable vineyard.
Villa Saletta: our Tuscan heritage
Nestled in the breathtaking Tuscan Hills, with roots reaching back to 980 AD, Villa Saletta represents a harmonious blend of centuries-old winemaking traditions and modern innovation. The estate carries a remarkable history, having been owned by just four families throughout its existence.
By the time the Hands family acquired the property almost 20 years ago, the estate had almost entirely fallen to ruin. Recognising its extraordinary potential, they committed to reinstate the tradition of an agriculturally diverse, sympathetically managed and self-sufficient estate.
This dedication to quality has earned remarkable recognition, including multiple Gold Medals from the London Wine Competition and Mundus Vini for their flagship Saletta Giulia, consistently rated 93-95 points by renowned critic James Suckling across several vintages, and the Gold Medal at the Brussels World Competition for their 2019 Chiave di Saletta, to name just a few. These exceptional wines are now exclusively served across our collection of hotels in the UK and the Channel Islands.
Learn more about Villa Saletta's rich heritage and exceptional wines here.
Curating exceptional wines
Each wine has been selected to perfectly marry with our award-winning modern British cuisine or to be blissfully enjoyed on its own. Our menu encompasses wines from estates around the world – some interesting and innovative, others classic and traditional. Louise Gordon, our Head of Wine, brings over 20 years of expertise to our wine selection. Her distinguished career includes winning the Condé Nast Johanssons Best Overall Wine List of the Year and Most Innovative List during her time as Head Sommelier at Limewood Hotel.
Our wine philosophy
Completing our list is a selection of truly exceptional wines from our personal cellar, collected over several decades. These wines have been carefully sourced directly from estates and kept in optimal condition in our bonded warehouse, awaiting your enjoyment in the unique surroundings of our hotels.
A shared passion
Wine at Hand Picked Hotels is about creating moments of connection. It's about bringing together the finest local and international vintages, telling stories through taste, and offering our guests an unparalleled dining experience that speaks to the heart of hospitality. From the historic vineyards of Tuscany to the tables of our carefully curated hotels, we invite you to discover the passion that flows through every glass.
