Meet the Team
Whether you’re joining us for a drink in the wine bar or popping in to find the perfect bottle of wine to take home, you’ll always receive a warm welcome – and any advice you need – from the Corkage team.
Andy
Corkage owner Andy is a long-time wine enthusiast, who spent 25 years in the City as a successful Lloyd’s Underwriter. Following the sale of his Syndicate business in 2013, looking for a new challenge, he began studying for his WSET qualifications – which took him up to Level 3.
Having lived in the town since 2005, Andy realised central Guildford was lacking a specialist independent wine shop and wine bar – and decided to open Corkage. His core philosophy was to create a friendly, welcoming environment where customers are never patronised, regardless of the extent of their wine knowledge.
Andy very much enjoys meeting new customers and having the opportunity to talk enthusiastically about wine, particularly at the Corkage tasting events. As a predominantly red-wine enthusiast, his current favourites from the Corkage range include the Louis Latour Fixin and Charles Melton’s Nine Popes.
Andy
Corkage owner Andy is a long-time wine enthusiast, who spent 25 years in the City as a successful Lloyd’s Underwriter. Following the sale of his Syndicate business in 2013, looking for a new challenge, he began studying for his WSET qualifications – which took him up to Level 3.
Having lived in the town since 2005, Andy realised central Guildford was lacking a specialist independent wine shop and wine bar – and decided to open Corkage. His core philosophy was to create a friendly, welcoming environment where customers are never patronised, regardless of the extent of their wine knowledge.
Andy very much enjoys meeting new customers and having the opportunity to talk enthusiastically about wine, particularly at the Corkage tasting events. As a predominantly red-wine enthusiast, his current favourites from the Corkage range include the Louis Latour Fixin and Charles Melton’s Nine Popes.
Peter
Manager Peter worked in the New Zealand hospitality industry for six years, ultimately as Restaurant Manager and Sommelier at a smart casual-dining venue in Auckland. He moved to Sydney, Australia in 2018 to work as a Wine Advisor for Laithwaites, before returning to the UK and joining Corkage in 2021. He gained his WSET Level 3 in 2022 and was interviewed as one of The Wine Merchant’s Rising Stars in 2023.
Peter loves the intimate setting of Corkage, which he believes helps remove any awkwardness from choosing wine, making it what it should be – a fun and engaging experience for the customer! He also enjoys having the opportunity to explore – and advise customers on – a huge variety of wines.
Peter’s own personal favourites are Le Grand Clos Chardonnay – his favourite varietal with oak, butteriness, and a touch of pine needles – and The Surrey Pinot Meunier for its lightness and easy-drinking quality.
Mads
Having moved from Denmark to the UK, Mads joined the Corkage team with the aim of getting to know more people in Guildford. As part of the team, he loves exploring new wines to share as recommendations to customers and friends. His favourite styles of wine are buttery Burgundies and bold, black-fruit, blended reds – like our fabulous Rully Premier Cru Rabourcé and elegant Keyneton Euphonium.
When he’s not working at Corkage, Mads is a freelance cartoonist, illustrator and writer and associate lecturer in comics and concept art at UCA Farnham – talents he puts to good use at Corkage too – check out his fantastic poster illustrations next time you’re in the shop.
