Gold band with 'Named the Best Independent Wine Merchant in the UK 2023!' written on it
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Awards

We are delighted to be the winners of several high-profile industry awards. For details on our most recent wins, see below. Information on previous years can be found in the archive at the bottom of the page.

Number Two – 50 Best Indies 2024

The Oxford Wine Company Owner and Chairman Ted Sandbach and Head of Retail and Marketing Emily Silva collecting the number two award at Harpers Top 50 Indies 2024

We are absolutely delighted to have placed at number Two in the  Top Independent Wine Merchants in the UK!! We were selected by a panel of industry experts who took into account every facet of our business, from retail to wholesale through to online, social media, tastings and events.

We have been named in the Top 10 every year since this list began, and last year we were number one.

This award has been awarded by Harpers Wine & Spirit, the leading industry publication, who every year celebrate the UK’s thriving independent drinks retailing sector with their list of Top 50 Indies. We were joined in the list by some truly fantastic businesses, many of whom have become good friends over the years.

We are so proud of this achievement, and would like to thank all of the friends, family, customers, suppliers and of course staff who have made this possible. Onwards and upwards – but first, a glass of Champagne!

Number 40 – 50 Best Drinks Wholesalers 2024

The Oxford Wine Company has been named number 40 in Harpers Wine & Spirit’s Top 50 Drinks Wholesalers 2024. Here’s what the team at Harpers had to say about us:

This Oxford based drinks purveyor has been a trusted family-run wholesaler for over three decades, offering a wide collection of wines to the on-trade across the UK. Its extensive portfolio covers over 2100 SKUS from 57 countries, specialising in exclusive family-owned producers and hard-to-find labels. With dedicated trade and retail arms too, it also excels at personalised service, staff training and unique wine list curation. Recent investment in small batch beers and bespoke digital platforms reflect an ongoing commitment to quality and efficiency, with a growing presence in hospitality, education and wine tourism all being part of the mix. 

A huge well done to our trade and warehouse teams as well as the broader OWC team for this brilliant accolade!

Archive

  • Number One – Harpers Top 50 Indies
  • Regional Chain of the Year – Drinks Retailing Awards
  • Sixth Place – Harper’s Wine & Spirit 50 Best Indies
  • Shortlisted – Germany Specialist of the Year, The International Wine Challenge
  • Runner Up – Best Local Multi-Store, Decanter Retailer Awards
  • Third Place – Harpers’ Top 50 Indies
  • Sweet and Fortified Wine Specialist – Decanter Awards
  • Independent Retailer of the Year – The Drinks Business
  • Regional Chain of the Year – Drinks Retailing Awards
  • Second Place – Harpers Top 50 Indies
  • Regional Wine Merchant of the Year – Harpers Top 50 Indies
  • Fortified Wine Specialist of the Year – International Wine Challenge
  • Top 50 Wholesalers: No. 25 – Harpers Wine & Spirit
  • Fifth Place – Harpers’ Top 50 Indies
  • Eighth Place – Harpers’ Top 50 Indies