News / Nania's Vineyard
Montpelier winemaker wins contract with UK supermarket chain
A Bristol winemaker has won a national TV contest to get his products on supermarket shelves across the country.
James Bayliss-Smith grows the ingredients for his “low intervention, natural wine” at an allotment on the doorstep of Montpelier station.
His canned wine spritzers have impressed UK supermarket giant Aldi in a new episode of the Channel 4 TV show Aldi’s Next Best Thing, hosted by presenter Anita Rani.
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In a first for the series, the judges picked two winners in the episode: James’ company Nania’s Vineyard and a cheese-maker duo who blend the flavours of Yorkshire and Syria.
.James competed against a host of food and drink aficionados, including the maker of a black pudding-flavoured jam and the creator of an adult twist on dessert.
Nania’s Vineyard collaborates with local brands to make the final product, including Bristol Syrup Company and artist Alex Lucas, who designed the packaging and whose street works are scattered around Bristol.
Sustainably packaged and home-grown, Nania’s Vineyard now stocks two exclusive spritzers in Aldi stores.
The packaging was designed by local artist Alex Lucas, whose street art can be seen all over the city – photo: Nania’s Vineyard
Speaking about the win, James, who is also a documentary and filmmaker, said: “I’m so happy. Who would have thought I would go from making wine in my allotment vineyard, to having my product on sale in Aldi?”
Main photo: Nania’s Vineyard
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