Started in Bangor in 1980 – initially as a hobby business – by Marine Biology professor Osmond “Ozzy” Fearon Philips, who had a bloodhound’s nose for sniffing out good Petit Chateau Clarets.
Bought in 1983 by Peter and Cynthia Hebden, who developed it into a serious wholesale wine business with the help of ex-hotelier and restaurateur, Mike Vick, as Sales Director.
In 1991 Joseph Keegan and Sons Ltd, wholesale distributers to the licensed trade, saw the opportunity to acquire a specialist wine merchant to enhance their operation, and appointed Mike Vick to head its development.
With the addition to the team in 2003 of another successful restaurateur, Martin Vowell, the company has firmly established itself as one of the leading regional wine merchants, supplying well over 200 good food pubs, hotels and restaurants throughout North Wales.
Having 26 years experience in the restaurant trade between them gives Mike and Martin a synergy with their customers and, as Mike says, they are able to ask themselves the all-important question “What would I like my wine merchant to do for me?” with a restaurateur’s hat on.
Whilst primarily specialising in the catering industry, this has not prevented James Fearon Wines from amassing a growing band of private clients who are looking for something different: that surprise discovery that just isn’t out there amongst the look-alike range of brands in the supermarkets.
So, what can James Fearon Wines do for you…?