Meet the team at Vintage Wine and Port
Vintage Wine and Port
Expertise
As a small family business, our staff are important to us. Some have shared our journey over the past decade whilst others have joined along the way.
We take great pride that all of our staff are educated by the Wine and Sprit Education Trust (WSET) so that anyone you talk to in VWP will have a high-level of knowledge. This means that they can help you to select the perfect product for your requirements.
WSET is the leading global qualification in the wine trade and we are please to be associated with this training programme. All of our staff, regardless of position, have the opportunity to progress in this qualification. This is supported by tastings and visits to vineyards and producers, particularly in Porto!
Our cellars are located in the historic town of Fordingbridge, Hampshire. From here we export our wines anywhere within the UK and to over 40 countries around the world.
The Team at VWP
Dr Tony Carter
Managing Director
Astrophysicist turned Port aficionado, Tony co-founded VWP with Claire in 2008 to turn a shared passion for vintage wines into something much bigger (and much tastier). When he’s not stargazing, he’s usually somewhere in Portugal — visiting old friends, discovering hidden gems, and tasting his way through the Douro.
WSET Level 3 with Distinction, member of The Port Forum, and proud supporter of the Big Fortified Tasting, Tony lives and breathes fortified wines. He’s the beating heart of VWP — just don’t ask him how many bottles he’s bought “for research purposes” this month.
Favourite wine this year: 1935 Cockburn – an immense, powerful Port that defies its age with an ethereal, unforgettable character.
Claire Carter
Financial Director
Co-founder, number-cruncher, and voice of reason — Claire is the one who keeps VWP running smoothly (and keeps Tony’s wine-buying sprees in check!). She looks after all things finance, bringing structure and strategy to the sometimes chaotic world of wine retail.
Her love of Port and fine wine began on her travels through the great wine regions of the world, and she hasn’t looked back since. A proud holder of WSET Level 3 with Distinction, Claire is also our in-house expert on South African wines — ask her anything about Chenin or Constantia!
Favourite wine this year: Klein Constantia, Vin de Constance — like sipping honey and marmalade from a crystal glass.
Rachael Cron
Operations Manager
Rachael first joined us as a Christmas temp — but she shone so brightly, we couldn’t let her go. Now a full-time legend and our all-round organisational queen, she keeps the office running like clockwork and makes sure every order reaches our customers on time (and in one piece!).
As the youngest in the VWP family, Rachael is just beginning her wine adventure — but thanks to a few “research” tastings, she’s quickly developed a soft spot for the good stuff.
Favourite wine tasted this year:Quevedo 2019 LBV
Ed Trevett
Cellar Whisperer & Master of Imagery
Ed is the man behind the magic when it comes to keeping our wines safe, snug, and looking sharp. From careful cellar organisation to expertly packaging every bottle for its journey to a new home, Ed treats every case like it’s a treasure chest (which, let’s be honest, it usually is!).
Armed with a camera and a sharp eye, Ed also brings our bottles to life online, snapping the shots that make you say, “I need that.” Now proudly WSET Level 3 certified, his wine journey is well underway — and so is his collection of Sandeman Tawnies.
Favourite wine this year: Any Sandeman Tawny Port he can get his hands on (and photograph before drinking).
Antonia Sheldon
Wine Sales
Toni joined us for the festive rush… and never left! Drawn in by her love of wine (and possibly our endless supply of biscuits), she’s now a valued member of the team and well on her way with her WSET studies. Always curious, Toni is also a keen local historian — she’s been digging into the fascinating past of our VWP premises and uncovering stories older than some of our Ports!
Favourite wine this year: 1994 Graham’s Single Harvest Port — smooth, complex, and full of character. Just like Toni.