Introduction
As a UK wine merchant, Donzella Wines often hears from customers who previously ordered from Giordano Wines and were surprised by how long their delivery took to arrive. Many people in the UK are used to fast shipping when ordering online, so waiting well over a week for wine can feel frustrating, especially when the order is for a gift, a celebration or an upcoming event.
We’re a family-run UK wine merchant specialising in Italian wines that are stocked and dispatched from right here in the UK. We built Donzella Wines to be the opposite of faceless online retailers. We believe in real communication, honest advice and reliable delivery. That’s why we wanted to put together this side-by-side comparison, so you can clearly see the difference between ordering from an overseas retailer and choosing a UK-based merchant who prioritises service and speed.
This isn’t about attacking anyone. It’s about helping customers make an informed choice.
Why Donzella Wines Exists
Donzella Wines was created to bring authentic Italian wines to UK customers without the long waits and uncertainty that often come with international shipping. We source wines we genuinely believe in, from producers we trust, and we hold stock in the UK so customers can receive their orders quickly and reliably.
We are:
A UK-based business
Family run
Down to earth
Easy to contact
Focused on quality over quantity
When you contact Donzella Wines, you speak to real people. There are no call centres, no scripts, no automated replies. Just honest, straightforward support - We DO NOT use AI chatbots, anything of the sort! You speak to us, you speak to your own family!
What We Do Better at Donzella Wines
UK Stock = Faster Delivery
This is the biggest difference.
All our wines are stocked in the UK. That means:
No overseas shipping
All stock has already cleared customs and duty has been paid in advance. We DO NOT sell things we DO NOT have on our website.
No customs delays
No international couriers
No weeks of waiting
Most orders arrive within 24 to 72 hours. If you order today, you’re enjoying your wine in days, not weeks.
Our reviews speak for themselves, If you take a look at Google - You'll see plenty of reviews where people have been absolutely shocked that they have ordered on a weekend and they had arrived the next working day!
We are fast, reliable and dependable, if there is an issue, we'll make sure we solve it as soon as we know about it - People pre-order wines from us knowing they will be able to get them extremely quickly - if we do not have them in stock.
Real Communication
We pride ourselves on fast, clear communication.
Customers regularly contact us to:
Ask for wine recommendations
Check delivery times
Get help with an order
Organise event wine
We reply quickly.
We speak like humans.
We solve problems properly.
Family Business Values
We’re not a corporation.
We don’t chase volume at the expense of service.
Every customer matters.
That means:
We pack orders carefully
We check bottles
We care if something goes wrong
We make it right
Perfect for Gifts & Events
Because we dispatch from the UK, Donzella Wines is ideal for:
Last-minute gifts
Dinner parties
Weddings
Corporate orders
Special occasions
You don’t need to plan weeks ahead. You can order with confidence knowing your wine will arrive on time.
Carefully Curated Wines
We don’t list hundreds of random bottles.
Every wine on our site is chosen because:
We’ve tasted it
We trust the producer
We believe it offers real value
Quality over quantity. Always.
UK Based Returns & Support
If something goes wrong, returns and replacements are handled within the UK.
That means:
Faster resolutions
Easier communication
Less stress
Giordano Wines – The Positives
To be fair, Giordano Wines does have strengths:
They offer a large selection of Italian wines
They have been trading for many years
They sell mixed cases and hampers
They appeal to customers who like bulk buying
Their business model focuses on shipping directly from Italy, which gives access to regional wines and sometimes competitive case pricing.
However, this same model also leads to longer delivery times for UK customers.
The Real Difference – Delivery & Experience
This is where Donzella Wines really stands apart.
| Feature | Giordano Wines | Donzella Wines |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch location | Italy | United Kingdom |
| Typical delivery time | 10–15 days | 24–72 hours Sometimes, less than 20 hours! |
| Shipping type | International | Domestic UK courier, through DPD, DHL, UPS. |
| Customs delays | Possible | None, duty paid and settled in UK. |
| Customer support | Overseas | UK-based, family run |
| Communication | Email systems | Direct personal contact, email, WhatsApp, phone |
| Best for | Bulk orders planned in advance | Fast gifts, events, everyday orders |
| Returns handling | International process | UK-based returns |
Why Customers Choose Donzella Wines
Speed
People don’t want to wait weeks for wine.
Simple as that.
Trust
We’re transparent.
What you see is what you get.
Service
We care about every order.
That’s not marketing talk – that’s how family businesses survive.
Convenience
Order today.
Drink this week.
No stress.
Real-Life Situations
Last-Minute Gift
You forgot a birthday.
You order from Donzella Wines.
It arrives in time.
Crisis avoided.
Hosting Friends
You’re cooking on Friday.
You order Wednesday.
Wine arrives Thursday.
Sorted.
Wedding Planning
You need reliable delivery.
You don’t want surprises.
UK stock means peace of mind.
Pricing – The Honest Truth
Giordano Wines can sometimes be cheaper on large cases.
That’s fair - This is mainly because they do not have to pay UK Custom duties, Donzella Wines brings in 2-3 pallets (or more) at a time and faces large transport/duty bills. Any order under £135 is duty free when entering in the UK.
But with Donzella Wines you’re paying for:
Speed
Service
Support
Reliability
For many customers, that value matters more than saving a few pounds.
Our founder, Giovanni once said when he was starting up this business, how can I run a wine merchant, when I have no wine on hand? I need the wine to be able to sell the wine, I cannot take people's money and then deliver weeks ahead, the way we setup Donzella Ltd is how we've always done it, Pre-Brexit and Post-Brexit. This will never change. If we've got it, you can have it. if we don't have it, you can request that we have it!
Why We Built Donzella Wines This Way
We saw how frustrating overseas ordering can be. We experienced it ourselves.
Slow tracking
Long waits
Poor communication
So we built Donzella Wines to be:
Fast
Personal
Reliable
UK based
That’s our entire philosophy.
Final Thoughts
Giordano Wines offers Italian wine shipped directly from Italy and works well for customers who plan far in advance and enjoy bulk ordering.
But if you value:
Fast UK delivery
Personal communication
Family business service
Reliability
Peace of mind
Then Donzella Wines is the better option.
Ready to Order?
If you’re tired of waiting weeks for your wine, browse our collection and enjoy Italian wines delivered from UK stock, fast and hassle-free.
