1980’S & 90’S - THE NEXT GENERATION
 In 1983, a desire to learn more about viticulture and vinification propelled Kevin to attain the Wine & Spirit Education Trust Diploma – making him one of the first in Northern Ireland to do so. This was the start of a trend to educate all sales DWS staff to Diploma level (currently 5 staff are Diploma holders).
This acted as a stimulus to the development of DWS’ Wine Appreciation Course, the first in Northern Ireland, which has now been running successfully for 25 years.
 The next 10 years brought major changes to the business when Kevin’s two sons joined DWS – firstly Peter in 1985 and then Neal in 1992. Having practically been brought up on wine, and having spent many childhood holidays touring vineyards, they each have a deep routed zeal and passion for wine.
On joining the company both attained the WSET Diploma and before long their natural energy and enthusiasm had resulted in many new wines being seen in Northern Ireland for the first time. Growers such as Domaine Comtes Georges de Vogue, Henri Bourgeois, Palacios Remondo, Domaine de Cristia and Inama have become firm favourites in Belfast.
 Since the early 1990’s DWS has hosted numerous winemaker and wine jouralist tastings in its atmospheric tasting hall above the warehouse – once again, a first for Northern Ireland. Many luminaries, including Miguel Torres, Michel Chapoutier, Jancis Robinson, Tim Atkin, Robert Joseph and, more recently, José and Sylvia Puig, have entertained, engaged and educated packed Belfast audiences on memorable wine evenings.
 1996 brought a great accolade for Kevin. The Spanish government acknowledged his efforts to promote Spanish wine and culture for almost 40 years when he was accepted into the prestigious ‘Gran Orden de Caballeros del Vino’.
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