As the proverb suggests, life is better when viewed through rose-coloured glasses. And in our opinion, it’s even better when it’s rosé (yes, the wine variety). As our summer tipple of choice, rosé prevails as the darling of a groundbreaking new wine destination nestled in Belgravia’s exciting Eccleston Yards enclave.
Enter amie wine studio. A sophisticated, design-led integration of wine and art developed by professional and romantic duo Will Sandbach and Abbie Roden (the pair are currently engaged to be wed) who herald their outpost as a space for friends to come together for a glass of amie.
The amie concept was masterminded during the COVID-19 lockdown, motivated initially by a shared love of wine, however secondly by a recognised opportunity to tap into the rosé market with a contemporary, cool and stylish wine brand that was not only affordable but could be delivered direct to your door. amie saw Will, who already has an established career in the wine industry, join professional forces with marketer and photographer, Abbie for the first time.
With collaboration in the name of the game, Abbie and Will sought the expertise of their friend and PR expert Hermione Underwood to bring the amie story to life. The idea of friends coming together to create the amie brand quickly became a reality and the team managed to conceptualise, build and launch the brand within just a few lockdown months.
Seeking additional talent from their community, Abbie and Will partnered with close friend and acclaimed artist, Jessica Yolanda Kaye, on the brand’s design. The Australian-born, Notting Hill-based creative lent her fashion-forward illustration style to the logo and label design. Taking inspiration from a vision of friends drinking amie, imagining the final setting for the bottle, and seeking for the illustration to ‘blend’ into that scene. Talk about a winning team!
The space, which initially started as a temporary pop up, thankfully now has permanent roots. Embodying a glass of refreshing, chilled rosé, the double-height studio is a magnificent light-filled space complemented by striking design features including a grand spiral staircase with hints of blush pink and sooting neutrals throughout. Decked out with a stylish collection of furniture, including antique treasures sourced from markets across the UK and a curated selection from West Elm.
Together with Partnership Editions, the studio also serves as a gallery where visitors can admire and purchase a unique and varied array of art from some of today’s most exciting emerging artists. All the while with a glass of wine in hand, naturally.
The studio’s aesthetic further facilitates its purpose as an event space. A schedule of past and present creative workshops and thought-inspiring events are already in motion, including women in the leadership panel discussion and a networking event series.
Sustainability also emerges as a core value for Sandbach and Roden. Not only for the fact that all wines are vegan but also for their partnership charity: water. The non-profit organisation seeks to bring clean and safe drinking water to people in developing countries. For every order on drinkamie.com, £1 is donated to charity: water. So far, amie has proudly raised over £10,000 so far and the first ‘amie well’ will be built in Uganda next year.
In terms of the wine itself, amie is produced in the French region of the Languedoc. Together with the esteemed LGI winemakers, their 20-year + expertise in the science of tailoring wine concepts has made the amie dream possible. Incorporating three wines in total, amie’s white takes form of a tantalising Sauvignon Blanc with a touch of Gros Manseng that is ultra crisp with aromatic fruit flavours. The red is a Carignan made from over 30-year old grape vines to produce a wine that is incredibly well-rounded and elegant with plum and blackberry fruit flavours.
And last but not least, the brand’s trailblazer is a rosé is made from 100% Cinsault. A grape native to the South of France, the wine is fresh and vibrant with bouquet characteristics, packed with red berry flavours and a touch of cherry blossom. Oh and did we mention that all wines are vegan?
So as our new favourite place to indulge in wine, design, art and a hip new Belgravia destination, be sure to visit amie wine studio when you’re next in town and staying with House of Kip.
amie wine studio, 13 Eccleston Yards, London SW1
drinkamie.com
