The Founder's Cellar | An Exclusive Wine Dinner

From delivering cases of wine on his scooter to building one of London's most beloved independent wine businesses, James Dawson’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of inspiring.

Now, he invites you to an intimate evening where passion, innovation, and remarkable wines come together. As you sip on six iconic and rare wines, James will share his unique insights into the wine world, the story of Humble Grape - from tastings in friends’ living rooms to opening six thriving wine bars, and his philosophy on making wine more accessible - without the snobbery.

This 3.5-hour immersive wine dinner, personally hosted by James, will take you on a journey through six of the most iconic and exclusive wines, including the TBC. Served alongside a three-course dinner crafted by our Executive Chef, this is more than a tasting - it’s a chance to dive into the world of fine wine with the visionary behind Humble Grape. With only 14 seats available and our last event selling out in just a few hours, this is your chance to secure your spot before tickets disappear.

Philippe Gonet Millesime Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Extra-Brut, 2008, Champagne, France (Magnum)

Philippe Gonet is a 7th-generation, family-run grower based in the Grand Cru village of Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, Chardonnay’s spiritual homeland. A standard bottle of Champagne says, “Let’s celebrate.” A magnum of Gonet Millesime Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru says, “Cancel your plans, we’re making a night of it.” Located cheek-by-joul with the infamous Champagne Houses Salon and Krug (Clos du Mesnil), Champagne Philippe Gonet leans hard (in the best way) into Blanc de Blancs precision, showing off the minerality and structure that Mesnil’s famous chalk can deliver.

Château de Garnerot 'Les Louères' 2022, Bouzeron, Burgundy, France

Château de Garnerot is a renaissance project in Mercurey (Côte Chalonnaise) led by Alexia Russo and Caroline Fyot, two career-changers who swapped the corporate world for vines, and launched their first vintage in 2018. Today they farm a small Burgundy estate (around 6 hectares) with an organic approach (and a biodynamic touch on selected plots), making wines that keep things pure, precise, and very drinkable. If Chardonnay is Burgundy in black tie, Bouzeron Aligoté is Burgundy with its sleeves rolled up: sharper, fresher, and far more dangerous at lunchtime. Sitting in a village surrounded by some of the Côte Chalonnaise’s most serious terroir, ‘Les Louerres’ shows exactly why Bouzeron deserves its own spotlight: bright citrus energy, stony minerality, and a salty, mouth-watering snap that feels effortlessly Burgundian.

Weingut Von Winning Pechstein Riesling GG, 2021, Pfalz, Germany

Weingut von Winning is a historic Pfalz estate founded in 1849 in Deidesheim, making Riesling its true calling card and championing some of Germany’s most expressive dry bottlings from legendary sites like Forster Pechstein, a vineyard born of volcanic basalt, sandstone and limestone soils that give its wines real backbone and personality. A standard Riesling might whisper “refresh me.” The Pechstein Riesling Grosses Gewächs 2021 says “we’re going deep tonight.” It’s Riesling with tension: mineral, vibrant, and impossibly alive. Here, the Pfalz sun meets ancient volcanic guts: citrus zest, wet stone, and spicy flint weave through the nose, while on the palate saline precision and bright acidity call to mind windswept crag and ripe lemon joined at the hip. This is Riesling that feels sculpted by its site: direct, electric, and built to age.

Hawkshead Pinot Noir Reserve, 2021, Central Otago, New Zealand

Hawkshead sits on the sun-drenched north-facing slopes of Gibbston Valley in Central Otago, a region known for continental vigour, schist soils and some of the world’s most striking Pinot Noir. Founded by Denis Marshall and Ulrike Kurenbach, Hawkshead makes wines that marry crisp New World energy with an artisan’s attention to detail. It’s a Central Otago Pinot Noir with intent, made from hand-picked fruit across Bannockburn, Lowburn and Gibbston, with structured tannins and fine acidity that give it presence and purpose.

Fabien Jouves, Mas del Périé B763 Malbec, 2022, Cahors, France

Fabien Jouves’ Mas del Périé sits high on the limestone and ferruginous slopes around Trespoux-Rassiels in Cahors, where a young and fearless vigneron, driven by a desire to reimagine Malbec, farmed organically and biodynamically long before it was trendy in the Southwest. His estate is all about letting the land speak: minimal intervention, natural ferments and thoughtful élevage. This is Malbec with lithe energy and plot precision: a single parcel selection from vines averaging ~50 years old that captures both the muscular backbone of Cahors and an unexpected elegance.

Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, Napa Valley, California, US

Mayacamas Vineyards is one of Napa Valley’s true originals, perched high on Mount Veeder since 1889, making Cabernet Sauvignon the old-school way: mountain fruit, restrained extraction, long ageing, and zero interest in following trends. This is Napa before gloss, before hype, before ripeness arms races: just altitude, rock, and patience. Sourced from steep, rocky mountain vineyards, this is Cabernet Sauvignon built on tannin, freshness and mineral grip rather than sweetness. Expect blackcurrant, graphite, cedar and dried herbs, with a palate that’s firm, savoury and unapologetically classical. This is Napa Cabernet with a backbone — less polish, more truth — and the kind of longevity that reminds you why Mayacamas is spoken about in hushed tones.

Please note that our events are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

Please contact [email protected] if you have any dietary requirements

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