Meet the Mr.Wheeler Team

This year (2025) marks my 38th year in the UK’s wine industry, during which time it's been fascinating to witness wine become an increasingly integral part of our everyday lives. World-class pinot noir happens to be my favourite choice, with those from Burgundy and New Zealand finding particular favour.

Similarly will fine, mature Bordeaux always factor heavily in my considerations. To my mind, some of the great vintages I’ve ever enjoyed undoubtedly account for the region’s eternal, global acclaim.

Email: johnny@mrwheelerwine.com

If I’m not directing operations or getting physically rattled at a 5-a-side or regular boot camps, I’ll likely be in the kitchen – or thinking about being there – rustling up something spicy and/or grillable. Something that demands a great wine to go alongside, of course. Then again, I might be at the cricket or Colchester United home game. Then there’s all that music I’m forever tuning into… But wine? Always, and so often from one of my top regions: the Rhône Valley.

Email: mark@mrwheelerwine.com

Born in Lyon and raised in the Rhône, I’ve had a lifelong love of (surprise, surprise!) food and wine. Some might say an unhealthy obsession, but I prefer to call it passion. A passion redeemed by my other great love: sport—tennis, cycling, martial arts—all of which do well to keep things balanced... if only just.

Then there’s a fair bit of guitar playing when time allows, all of it solidly supported by my unshakable amps-&-electronics geekery.

When donning my Private Client Director's beret, however, it’s when I’m lucky to be working with some of the world’s most exciting producers, some of whom craft the great Northern Rhône Syrahs that still hold a special place in my heart.

Email: ludovic@mrwheelerwine.com

Top of the class for me is fine Red Burgundy, my first encounter was with a Fixin Clos des Hervelets 1969 - outstanding! In my spare time, of which I have a little more these days, I spend it working in Paradise Wood near my home. I enjoy shooting and take with me my two faithful Labradors, Mist & Lucia, so named after Chateau Lucia 1989, the year of her birth.

Email: swrightson@mrwheelerwine.com

As head buyer of FromVineyardsDirect I’ve been heavily involved in shaping and enhancing our portfolio over the last few years – I’m always on the lookout for wines of real character, with a strong sense of place. We’re privileged to work with some exceptional producers, with whom we’ve established close relationships over the years. 

My desert island wine would undoubtedly be a good red Burgundy – top Côte d’Or Pinot has always been the ultimate for me. 

When my nose isn’t stuck in a glass, it’s generally buried in a history book – and when I’m not exploring the vineyards, I’m often found rambling around old WW2 battlefields and beaches.

Email: ben@mrwheelerwine.com

I left France and joined in 1998 for a 6 month experience and almost 20 years later I'm still here! I was born and grew up in Champagne and my parents, Colette & Michel Guilleminot still run our family champagne house with my brother Patrice, sister Corinne. I also love spending time with my three lovely boys and enjoy tennis, music, and nature.

Email: carine@mrwheelerwine.com

I’ve always loved discovering new wines and with the world of wine ever expanding the choice has never been bigger. If I had to choose a favourite region though, Burgundy will still always grab the top spot. I’ll never tire of a gently oaked Puligny or a nicely aged Nuits St George , but the quality is there right through to the bourgogne rouge and blanc level. 

Earning my WSET Diploma some years ago helped me start my career in wine, but I was in love well before that, an avid foodie means I’m always looking for the right wine to go with what’s on the menu. 

When I’ve got my Head of Customer Experience hat on, it’s a passion to deliver quality customer service that drives me. My goal is to ensure our home-delivery service runs smoothly and efficiently and offers all our customers a friendly, knowledgeable team of wine advisors who love to answer to any query and do everything they can to ensure every customer finds a wine they’ll love – whether that’s an old favourite or something completely new. 

Outside of wine my passion is sport, both playing (tennis and badminton) and, more often, watching. This predominantly means football (Ipswich Town FC, who else?), rugby (owing to my early years in Cardiff?) and cricket.

Email: robin@mrwheelerwine.com

Although I was born in a wine-producing country (Argentina via Buenos Aires) – only then to grow up in another (Spain via Madrid), it was on California’s Central Coast where I first fell in love with wine. That ‘conversion’ led me to study food technology and wine in Bordeaux before joining FromVineyardsDirect when they came on board in 2019.

These days, I’m based in Milan, working with the online team and always fully involved in all marketing activities. As for other passions – travelling. It’s taken me everywhere from Kenya to Peru, and I’m always up for exploring new places, especially with friends. But wine? Burgundian Pinot. Make it always red Burgundy!

Email: micaela@mrwheelerwine.com

My love for wine was born out of a passion for craft ale, and when a chance opportunity arose to delve into the world of wine, I grabbed it with both hands. That was nearly 20 years ago, and I’ve never looked back. And before you do, there's little point asking me what my favourite wine is, since I love so many. It's the occasion, the food, the people that you share a wine with, that‘s a huge part of what makes any wine special.

In truth whilst I of course love a good glass of wine, I’m a classic car fanatic, a craft ale enthusiast, a garage tinkerer, an inventor, and of course wine drinker, this combination has led me to meeting some incredible people over the years.

Wine is supposed to be fun, don’t take it too seriously 😊, enjoy sharing with friends, discovering new varieties, styles, winemakers and regions.

Email: james@mrwheelerwine.com

Originally from Colchester, I became an Australian resident in 2004 and spent ten fantastic years living in Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where my family and I ran a busy little restaurant called Bistro on Thomas. After returning home in 2014 and spending some time in real estate, I decided to follow my passion for wine and joined the Customer Care team at Mr. Wheeler. Since then—WSET Level 2 certificate in hand—I’ve been working closely with our on-trade sales rep, Simon Goatlee, looking after our hotel and restaurant clients and helping them find the right wines for their lists.

Email: rachel@mrwheelerwine.com

My areas of enthusiasm as far as wine are concerned are Sherry, Port, Champagne and Alsace. I can be found around Colchester walking my greyhound, and playing cricket and rackets very badly. If you feel that your wine list is staid and static- contact me for a free wine list “health check”.

Email: simon@mrwheelerwine.com

A lifelong passion for wine eventually brought me into the wine business and I now run our shop Mr.Wheeler's Wine Cellar in Dedham. My personal cellar is stacked with red Bordeaux, some Australian Shiraz and a smattering of red Burgundy, although lately I have been flirting with Spanish, Italian and South African reds.

Email: luke@mrwheelerwine.com

In another life, I was doing online management/marketing for a seed and plant-trading company where I had comparatively little knowledge of wine. FromVineyardsDirect changed all that, of course. I’ve since learned comparatively more, and not just about the industry, but more specifically about what kinds of bottles really grab customers’ attention. What makes them sit up and get clicking.

Similarly, my palate has come a long way, and I’m still amazed by the sheer range of grape varieties out there. These days, Albariño sits at the top of my wine-favourites tree; elsewhere, in the Portman Road stands is where I sit whenever Ipswich Town FC are at home. Rain or shine…

Email: andrew@mrwheelerwine.com

I’m now into my second innings in the world of wine, following nearly three decades in professional cricket – a sport I retired from playing several kilos ago!

My passion for all things culinary ensures my shadow is unlikely to get smaller, and a glass of top champagne or classic Puligny is never far from the top of my wish list. When not in the kitchen, I’ll probably be lugging horse feed around the Colchester environs for my wife, or be on my bike, trying to avoid the hillier parts of our beautiful Essex/Suffolk countryside!

Email: david@mrwheelerwine.com

I’m from Radlett, Hertfordshire, and first got into wine while living in France during my degree—it’s been a full-on intrigue for me ever since. I started my career on the Majestic Wine graduate scheme and went on to work in four of their top Fine Wine stores, including the flagship in St John’s Wood. That experience gave me a solid foundation, an appetite to keep learning (and tasting!), and eventually led me to my WSET Level 3, which I passed with distinction.

After eight years teaching French in secondary schools, I made my way back into the wine world just before COVID, where the intrigue shows no signs of abating. Favourite wines? Easy. I’m a big fan of mature Bordeaux and great chardonnay from pretty much anywhere, but I’ve also got a soft spot for regional European wines, especially when paired with local cuisine. This symbiosis never fails to fascinate. The two have always meant to be one!

Email: jayers@thewinecompany.co.uk

I’m the guy who writes all the website, promo, and blog stuff. And so tedious a stickler, you'd put me through a window. 

One originally from the greater Toronto environs who has since dwelt on terra britannica for quite a number of years.  A number I would disclose except I can’t count that high. 

So, I put words together instead. Or chop them into bits. Or exterminate altogether. This I’ve been doing on Mr.Wheeler’s behalf for the past four years, having also done so at a Poland-based, international advertising/PR agency, as well as in the country’s startup sector. Which is how I’ve come to study her fiendish language.

Elsewhere, multiply those four years by ten and that’s how long I’ve been dedicated to the fretboard and six strings, to which my super-cool guitar collection will attest. 

Finally: foreign languages, culinary intrigue, Liverpool FC, and in no particular order.

Email: davida@mrwheelerwine.com