Our Wines:

"...the progression from wine sellers to wine makers will be one of the big stories in the next few years" The Bridgestone Guide 06

2003 was a very special year for Direct Wine Shipments - a long held ambition was achieved with the acquisition of 2 small vineyards in Catalonia, North Eastern Spain.

Direct Wine Shipments are the first Irish wine merchant to produce wine from their own vineyards.

The first wine, Capenela, comes from the Montsant region, near Tarragona. Capenela arrived in N.Ireland mid 2005 and has been met with great praise and enthusiasm. It is now sold out.

‘Capenela’ is truly a small production boutique wine. Only 300 dozen have been produced and half the production has already been sold in Spain! Capenela is only available at DWS and is priced at £7.99 per bottle.

"It's deep mulberry colour and strong smell makes this particular wine attractive and appealing" Irish News - Nov 05

"And even the wine cynics cannot ignore the seal of approval that has already been bestowed on the Capenela by one of only 250 Masters of Wine" - Daily Mirror - Jan 06

Creu Celta, from the Priorat region, arrived into the warehouse mid January 06. We have cellared it for over 6 months and are delighted to offer it for release now.

"2003 Priorat, Creu Celta, Viñedos McAlindon e Hijos, Cataluña, Spain, £14.99, Direct Wine Shipments I know these McAlindon lads in Belfast. I've got pretty wobbly-kneed with them, so I know the kind of wines they like, and the kind of quantities they like them in. But I didn't expect them to go off and start making their own! But of course, what a suitable choice. Priorat. Great big beefy powerhouse reds to warm an Ulsterman's heart in the depths of the Belfast winter. And they've done well. This isn't just an over-strength sun spoiled mess of dates and raisins this manages to keep a fresh plum depth, and when you mix that with figs and dates and prunes, some fairly mighty tannins and a rather lifted acidity, it's as though all the red wine flavours have been baked into a sticky Saharan stew. And it's smashing. Well done, lads. Slainte."
Oz Clarke, Websters Wine Guide 2007

"The colour was magnificent; a lovely deep purple demonstrating both its youth and its provenance... it has a wonderful depth to its colour and aroma. There are violets, and dark brambly fruits in this wine, as well as about 14% alcohol, plenty of acidity and tannin... even in its youth this wine is elegant now and will become even more graceful as time goes by.... will mellow into the superb wine it will become!"
Colin Harkness - Costa Blanca News

"Probably the most impressive aspect of the McAlindon operation was the purchase of two vineyards in the Spanish province of Tarragona in 2003.... because of the environmental conditions in Priorat its wine is expected to be a classic."
Daily Ireland - Oct 05