At Donzella Wines, choosing what we sell is never random. It is not done from a catalogue and it is never based on trends or hype. Every bottle is selected through a hands-on process built on tasting, experience and real customer feedback.
From our family vineyards in Italy, to Donzella Wines, and finally to your table – every bottle earns its place.
Who Tastes the Wines
Nicholas is now the main taster. Giovanni no longer drinks, but his influence remains huge. Over the years they have tasted together and had many passionate debates – and that is exactly how it should be.
Nicholas understands younger drinkers and modern styles. Giovanni understands tradition and structure. When they disagree, it is old school versus new school, and somewhere in the middle is usually the perfect bottle.
Sometimes Nonno says no.
Sometimes Nicholas pushes back.
They listen.
They learn from each other.
That balance is what shapes our range.
How We Taste
Most producers send us samples. Not every bottle goes into the restaurant, but a large proportion does – especially when we are testing something new and want real feedback.
When samples arrive, Nicholas will often take selected bottles to Locanda Gabriella and offer tastings to regular customers. Other times, he will sit with family – his sister Gabriella and brother-in-law Aaron – for honest opinions.
There have been times where suppliers went wild and sent 10 full boxes at once – around 60 bottles to taste. Safe to say, Nicholas had some fun narrowing down his favourites.
Nicholas often tastes blind, without knowing much about the producer. Giovanni trained him this way – to judge wine on quality, not reputation. That gift has stuck.
The test is simple:
• Does it look presentable?
• What is the bottle like?
• Does it feel rushed or cheaply produced?
• What grape is it?
• Is it light, heavy, fruity or structured?
• What food would it suit?
• Where is it from?
• Would our customers genuinely love it?
This is where Giovanni and Gabriella get creative. They cook dishes to match the wine and see how it performs at the table – because wine should always work with food.
Listening to Our Customers
At the restaurant, we actively collect feedback. Who would say no to a small wine sample? That is how Italians build friendships – through food, drink and conversation. Business comes second. Relationships come first.
We listen carefully.
We watch reactions.
We ask questions.
Nicholas also writes Locanda Gabriella’s wine menu, helping the restaurant introduce new grapes and styles. He structures the menu to succeed – pairing wines with dishes, keeping things exciting and educational for regular guests.
The restaurant is our testing ground – but it is not the final decision maker.
Restaurant vs Online – Giving Every Wine a Fair Chance
If Nicholas and Giovanni love a wine but it does not perform strongly in the restaurant, we do not immediately drop it.
Instead, we test it online.
Our online customers actively look for new and unusual bottles and are often quicker to try something different. Many wines that move slowly in the restaurant sell extremely well online.
So the process is:
• Taste it ourselves
• Trial it in the restaurant
• Collect feedback
• Test it online
If it sells online, we keep it.
If people love it, we reorder.
Always in small batches first.
Nothing is forced.
Nothing is wasted.
Every wine gets a fair chance.
From Tasting to Buying
Once we like a wine, we buy small – usually 5 to 10 boxes.
A perfect example:
In February 2025, we took on a new vineyard. At first, sales were slow in the restaurant. But within two to three weeks, we completely sold out of:
• Primitivo
• Greco
• Campania Rosato
Suddenly, we had to reorder.
Today, we place regular orders with Cantine Mediterranee and continue sampling anything new that catches our eye from their brochures. This is how real relationships grow – slowly, honestly and with trust.
What We Look For
When choosing wines, we ask:
• Who is the family behind it?
• What grapes are they using?
• Is it something different?
• Where is it from?
• What food does it match?
• Is it good value?
We stock wines across all budgets:
• Everyday bottles
• Mid-range
• Premium
But every single one must deliver quality.
Wine Events & Real Customer Experiences
Our wine events are where everything truly comes together.
This is where Nicholas gets to educate, entertain and take people on a journey through Italy – from north to south – showcasing the very best wines we have to offer. These events are not about being salesy. They are about storytelling, learning and having fun with wine.
Wedding couples come in regularly looking for something special for their big day. Instead of pushing bottles, Nicholas sits with them, listens and builds an experience around what they enjoy. He helps them explore different styles, regions and grapes until they find something that feels right for them.
One memorable moment was a couple who travelled from Bedford to Locanda Gabriella out of the blue. National merchants could not offer what they were looking for. Nicholas stepped in and delivered an unforgettable tasting experience, guiding them through different wines and styles.
They loved it.
Of course, not everyone loves every wine – and that is completely normal. We have faced complaints at events, and when that happens Nicholas sorts it immediately. He replaces the wine, listens to feedback and makes sure the customer leaves 100% satisfied.
One customer once said she hated red wine. Nicholas asked her to try a Reserva on the menu and promised to swap it if she disliked it.
She loved it.
Her view on red wine changed completely.
That is what our events and tastings are about – breaking preconceptions, building confidence and creating moments people remember.
That is why we do what we do.
What We Refuse to Stock
We are strict.
We refuse:
• Mainstream brands
• Corporate wines
• Trend bottles
• Overhyped labels
• Anything made for quick profit
We only buy wines we genuinely enjoy.
If we would not drink it ourselves, we will not sell it.
Bad labels? Rejected.
No story? Rejected.
Cheap shortcuts? Rejected.
Our Standards
We would never sell a wine that does not have:
• A real family behind it
• Passion
• Honest values
• Proper farming
• Care in production
We work with people in the fields.
Not factories.
Not automated systems pushing grapes fast to market.
From our family vineyards, to Donzella Wines, to your table – every bottle has a story.
That is what Donzella Wines stands for.
