BANKING ON WINE AND GETTING EXCELLENT RETURNS

Yvonne Connolly Managing Director Enowine

A young businesswoman returns to the IFSC with her dream business.

Three years after leaving her banking job in the IFSC to follow her dream of opening a wine shop, Yvonne Connolly is back in the Irish Financial Services Centre. 18 months after opening her first wine shop in Monkstown, the managing director, is delighted to announce the acquisition of her second Dublin premises.

Cutting Edge

"This is an incredibly exciting time for us. Enowine is a young and growing business. We are thrilled to have a city centre showcase for our cutting edge wine tasting system," she says. Developed by an Italian winemaker, Enomatic dispensers make it possible for a vast array of wines to be available for customers to taste at any one time. Safeguarded by a protective layer of nitrogen, the bottles remain fresh for three weeks. Customers purchase an Enowine swipe card, which allows them to sample any of the wines on tasting, from the cheapest Chilean to the most expensive Bordeaux. Connolly aggress that "this is a revolutionary approach to wine selling and we are delighted to bring it to a wider public. The incredibly enthusiastic response to our Monkstown shop has convinced us that we have the right formula".

Expansion

Enowine is looking at further expansion with franchising of the model and distribution of the Enomatic wine serving system in Ireland and the UK. "There is great interest from the hospitality industry for serving quality wine by the glass, and all these developments would be a natural progression for Enowine," Connolly explains.

The Monkstown shop usually has 100 wines open for tasting every day. Initially Enowine in the IFSC will have a more limited selection of wines for tasting. The number will rise once the shop has been re-fitted in May. The new store will also house Ireland's first self-service wine bar.

Investment

Total investment by Enowine in the IFSC will be in excess of €1 million, producing a lavishly appointed space of approx 5,000 square feet. Enowine continues to develop its association with Mary Dowey, one of Ireland's top wine writers. She will be hosting wine courses and tasting evenings for customers in the new store. Jane Boyce, Master of Wine, will be available to advise customers on purchasing wine for future investment.

TOP TEN WINES

Enowines Best-Sellings Wines Altosur Malbec € 9.99 Ottone I Barbera € 9.99 VillaCampa del Marquis € 10.99 Zilzie Estate Shiraz € 12.99 The Chap Book Rouge € 9.99 Miralvalle Tempranillo/Cab € 8.99 Boschkloof Chardonnay € 14.99 Crucero Sauvignon Blanc € 9.99 Zohar Chardonnay € 6.99 Zilzie Selection 23 Cab/Merlot € 9.99