At this temple to superb wine in the old Silver Tassie venue, wine industry veteran David Whelehan has assembled a seriously impressive team around him – including Martina Delaney, who garnered many admirers during her tenure as sommelier in l’Ecrivain. Located just off the N11, this all-day emporium is well worth the small detour when passing or indeed a special trip of its own.
The spacious store has been laid out to ensure that browsing is a pleasurable process for every level of wine lover: explanations are engaging and accessible, and the wines themselves are a delight, with some interesting representations from many of Ireland’s best importers alongside Whelehan’s exclusive imports directly from small wineries they know and love, alongside a well-curated selection from Irish craft beer and cider producers.
Staff such as Wine Store Manager Gavin Watchorn are happy to share their considerable knowledge, and always have various bottles open for tasting – worth the stop-off alone!
Th excellent café at Whelehans was soon a destination in itself, but sadly it became a victim of the pandemic and is not expected to reopen in the forseeable future. A big loss, and it is to be hoped that the decision will be reconsidered in time.
On the upside, the tasting events that are a highlight of the superb Whelehans’ offering continue, and there's a Tasting Bar on Fidays and Satiurdays.
Since its 2014 opening, Whelehans has become a local favourite but its accessibility just off the M50 make it a smart choice for a jaunt, especially on Fridays when the W Market brings a range of excellent artisan producers and food trucks together.
