Graeme Stewart, wine writer and co-founder of TyneTipples, explores wine without snobbery in the North East with three welcoming venues
For a long time, wine felt like something you had to get right. The right bottle, the right pronunciation, the right occasion. It carried an unspoken pressure that made many people feel they were being tested rather than invited. In the North East, that mindset is quietly changing.
Wine is becoming more relaxed, more social, and far more enjoyable. It is no longer just for white tablecloths or special occasions. Instead, it is finding its place in everyday moments, shared tables, and unpretentious spaces where conversation matters more than credentials.
This shift has not come from trends or grand statements. It has come from independent venues choosing to do things differently, putting people first and removing the fear that once surrounded wine.
Across Newcastle and the coast, places like District Bottle Shop, Kork Wine & Deli, and Vineyard72 are leading that change. They share a simple belief. Wine should be enjoyable, welcoming, and accessible, without losing quality or character.
Wine without Snobbery in the North East: District Bottle Shop
At District Bottle Shop, that philosophy is clear from the moment you walk in. Founded in 2025 by Laura and Phil, District was created to remove the intimidation Laura often saw during her time working in wine retail. Knowledge is available, but never imposed. Wines are served in quality glassware, the by-the-glass list is thoughtful rather than overwhelming, and tasting events are designed to spark curiosity, not anxiety.
The space doubles as a bottle shop, encouraging people to explore at home, and its relaxed, dog-friendly atmosphere reinforces the idea that wine does not need ceremony to be taken seriously. This is wine with confidence, not pressure.
Natural Wines at Kork Wine and Deli
If District shows how confidence can feel relaxed, Kork Wine and Deli shows how warmth and resilience shape great wine spaces. Opened by husband and wife team Shawn and Claire just before the Covid lockdowns, Kork faced challenges from the very beginning.
What followed was a slow, determined build, rooted in honesty, passion, and community support. I was a customer here long before TyneTipples existed and even attended one of their early tastings, drawn by the welcoming atmosphere rather than any promise of expertise.
Shawn’s approach to wine is refreshingly open. While Kork is often all about natural wines, the focus is never on labels or trends. It is about wines with character that work on the table. That philosophy extends to the food, with cheeses sourced from small producers across Spain, France, and the UK, alongside charcuterie and comforting dishes that encourage people to linger. Approaching their sixth anniversary, Kork remains a reminder that wine culture does not need to shout to be meaningful.
Wine without Snobbery in the North East: Vineyard72
If Kork represents resilience, Vineyard72 represents intention. Founded by Craig Miller and Jackie Dunn, Vineyard72 was born from a desire to create something genuinely different for the local area.
Opening just weeks before the first lockdown in 2020, the early days were uncertain. With no trading history and little support available, survival came down to adaptability and community backing. What emerged was a space all about slowing down.
At Vineyard72, wine is not for special occasions. It is something to enjoy in good company, paired with cheese and charcuterie designed for sharing, and accompanied by low-key music and conversation. Jackie’s vision was to create the kind of place she would personally choose to drink, relaxed, friendly, and welcoming.
Monthly tasting events now form part of that experience, offering education without pressure and encouraging guests to explore lesser-known grapes and regions in an informal setting.
Building our own Wine Culture
This same shift towards relaxed, social wine experiences is something I see when hosting wine tasting nights at The Smugglers at The Queens Head in Cullercoats. Held in a pub environment, these events remove any lingering sense of formality. People come with friends, talk openly about what they enjoy, and leave feeling more confident than when they arrived.
What unites all of these spaces is attitude. Wine does not need to impress. It does not need the right words or the right background. It simply needs to be shared.
The North East is not copying London or chasing trends. It is building its own wine culture, grounded in warmth, honesty, and enjoyment. And that feels like something worth raising a glass to.