A FAMILY-RUN wine importers has scooped a top prize at a UK awards ceremony.

Gwin Llyn Wines, which is run by husband and wife Dean and Margaret Pritchard, has been named the Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year at the Drinks Retailing Awards, held at the Dorchester Hotel in London last week.

Gwin Llyn Wines has been running for 13 years and was subject to a rigorous judging process, with mystery shoppers and interviews with the shop’s suppliers.

Speaking about the success, Mr Pritchard said he has been overwhelmed with the messages of support he and his wife have received since their win.

He said: “We are absolutely over the moon to have won the award.

“One of the key things the judges pointed out was our close connection with the local community.

“We held a wine tasting evening just last week in support of a local school.

“And of course a lot of our suppliers are local producers, such as Cwrw Llyn, Purple Moose and Dyfi Distillery who we have stocked since they began.

“We want to thank all of our customers for their messages of support.”

Judges were impressed with what they found at the Pwllheli shop.

Martin Green, editor at Drinks Retailing News, which runs the awards, said: “This was a ferociously competitive category with some very strong retailers from across the UK vying for glory, but ultimately Gwin Llyn stood above the rest thanks to its superb all-round offering.

“The most striking aspect at Dean and Margaret Pritchard’s specialist drinks store is the high level of attention to detail. Every single one of its many hundreds of wines is displayed with a tasting note and there are attractive break-out displays for all sorts of categories, including craft gins, promotional wines and Welsh drinks.

“Gwin Llyn has a broad and proactive marketing programme which puts it at the heart of the community through links with sports clubs, and runs tastings to keep its profile high.

“The good people of Pwllheli can consider themselves fortunate to have such an excellent beers, wines and spirits merchant on their doorsteps.”

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