Meet your VINGIN host GEMMA WITHENSHAW

VINGIN host Gemma Withenshaw, recently featured in Dorset Biz News, explains that her passion for wine began at a very early age. She was raised on a farm where her father grew grapes in their greenhouse to make wine. She often witnessed her father ‘crushing the grapes’ in a baby bath with his bare feet – initially horrified, she soon joined her father in this activity, so the love for wine began...

Furthermore, her Grandfather (a Dutch businessman), collected wine in his underground cellar. Unfortunately, the cellar often flooded, removing all the labels from the bottles. Therefore, every meal became a blind wine tasting further fueling her interest in wine.
Having achieved a degree in Hospitality Management, she took the first step on the wine ladder, and undertook her Level 4 WSET Wine and Spirits training, and went on to develop her career working for 2 large UK wine importers and a global wine trading platform, helping source wine for the UK multiple retailers and wine importers. During this time, she regularly hosted wine and spirits tasting events and acted as a brand ambassador for many quality wineries. Her experience developed as she traveled around the globes' vineyards, further developing her appreciation and knowledge.  

True to Gemma's Dutch heritage, Gemma is also a massive fan of the Dutch founded Spirit - Gin, otherwise, known as Genever!!  In her spare time, she regularly enjoys seeking out new gins and cocktail experiences - which she'd love to share with you!  

Gemma lives in Dorset and enjoys running to keep fit, gardening, baking cakes with her 2 boys, walking her dog - Bonnie Beaujolais, making compound gins, and brewing her organic wine from the bounty of her garden!
With a career in wine and spirits spanning over 2 decades, she is now excited to share her expertise, experience, stories, and love of wine and gin.
Book your fun-filled, highly informative, and interactive wine or gin tasting here today!  Alternative cocktail themes are also available!