On the Grapevine was set up in 1999, when my wife Pamela and I decided to turn the pipe dream
of owning a wine shop into reality by taking over a new shop unit in Dalkey, which was little more than a concrete shell and transforming it into a treasure trove of quality wines from all over the world. We opened on St. Patricks Day, 1999 with the aim of providing a relaxed and informative store with a
very clear focus on quality, both in product and service.

Since then, the business has grown and developed and we constantly strive to improve quality, value for money and customer service levels. In 2002, we started importing our own wines, mainly from France and Italy and mainly from smaller producers who were committed to producing high quality wines of real character at fair prices.

Our list evolves all the time, but we normally have around 500 wines in the shops, all tasted by staff and approved before being listed. Our staff are all highly trained wine professionals who will ensure that you get the right wine for any occasion. We pride ourselves on the fact that you will not leave the shop with a bad bottle, regardless of price. We would be delighted to welcome you to either of our stores to see our full range of over 500 wines, champagnes, ports and sherries and of course our range of gourmet foods and wine accessories

Why Franchise

Success Rate - franchises have a much higher success rate than non-franchised new businesses.

Expertise - you can own your own wine shop within months and hit the ground running by having our expertise behind you - we will help set you up in all aspects of your business

Proven wines - you will have access to some of the best wines in the world at all price ranges and from all over the world

Use of an established name On the Grapevine has been up and running successfully since 1999 and was one of the original wine shops selling wine only and has been at the forefront of quality wine retailing ever since.

Once up and running, you will have ongoing help and support from the On The Grapevine team.

The On The Grapevine Concept

'The key to the success of On The Grapevine is quality...'

Quality Wine - Most of our best selling wines are sourced directly from producers in France, Italy, Spain and elsewhere. These producers range from small, family-run affairs such as Mas de Martin in the Languedoc to world famous names such as Domaine Huet in Vouvray or Poliziano in Tuscany. The key characteristic that they all have is a passion for quality and are leaders in their respective areas.

Other wines we stock are from a bank of around 30 Irish suppliers, mainly the smaller importers. All wines are tasted by the On The Grapevine team before being stocked.

Quality Service - We pride ourselves on the quality of our people, who are key to ensuring a good experience for the customer. Knowledge, training and personality are the things that draw customers come back to our shops again and again, safe in the knowledge that they will leave with a good bottle of wine.

Quality Environment - We want to have a smart, sophisticated environment for our customers, but also one which is casual and relaxed. Presentation of a retail environment is a key part of the customer's interaction with our business and we pay a lot of attention to getting the details right, from presentation, lighting, mood, music, layout etc. It is all geared towards making it easy and enjoyable for the customer.