Hey, we’re the team at Canned Wine Co. and we’re all about making delicious, high-quality wines accessible to everyone in the most sustainable way we can. That’s why we’re obsessed with brilliant winemakers and working with them to deliver their wine in our small, perfectly portioned cans – without compromise.

How do we do it?

Our team of buyers do the really hard job of tasting a plethora of different, exciting wines and working out what drinks best. This means working with some of Europe’s finest winemakers; enter the likes of Michel Huber, Norrel Robertson MW, Thierry Boudinaud, Laurent Miquel, Walter Glatzer and Javier Sanz. They know what they’re doing and make fantastic wines, so it’s our job to make sure we protect that quality right through the canning process.

We import these wines in bulk to the market of sale, helping to lower some of those nasty emissions and the big CO2 impact of heavy weight glass logistics. We can them under a strict technical eye so that we can capture the best of the wine, like taking a photograph of an ideal moment in time. Once it’s in the can, it’s airtight, so it isn’t going to get any better – that’s why we do all the work to get the wine to its best drinking moment first. This means when you pop the seal, you’ll experience the wine in the best light it can be.

Why do we do it?

Simon and Lisa were inspired to launch Canned Wine Co. in the spring of 2019. The pair are passionate about great food and drink, but you don’t always want to open a whole bottle of wine with dinner. A smaller amount of something great always appealed more than a lot of something average. After attending a festival in the summer later that year, Simon and Lisa found lots of average wines were being poured from heavy glass bottles into single use plastic cups, and they decided enough was enough.

There had to be a better way. Less wastage. More choice in smaller volume. Better quality cans.

In the same year, they met Ben, a former journo turned wine merchant, and indulged in finding out all they could about wine. As they quickly became friends over many glasses of wine, the trio came together to formally create Canned Wine Co. and began the search for the best varieties to put into can.

Who are we?

Click on the video below to get a taste of life at Canned Wine Co!

 

Simon Rollings, Founder & CEO

Simon heads up the team at Canned Wine Co. and has experience in supply chain management, operations, innovation and performance marketing. He counts businesses like Hello Fresh and Eat First among his portfolio, with a passion in earlier stage food start-ups. Prior to cans, he completed an MBA at the University of Bath and continues to support the Uni’s business team and the next generation of business owners.

“I fell into the wine trade after attending a wine and chocolate tasting event with my now co-founder, Ben. It sparked my thirst for new knowledge and I was spurred on by the many glasses of wine we shared to do my WSET. I passed with Level 2 with Distinction just before setting up Canned Wine Co. in 2019, and now I am up to my ears in great wine!”

Ben Franks FRSA DipWSET, CCO, Co-Founder & Head Wine Buyer

Ben is a former wine journalist best known for founding the multi-award-winning wine merchant Novel Wines when he was 22. He has been described by Decanter Magazine as “One of the UK’s leading wine buyers” and The Buyer as “A leading lad in the wine biz”. In 2020, Ben was made a Fellow of the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce for his entrepreneurialism in the trade. As Canned Wine Co.’s Head Wine Buyer, it’s Ben’s job to find the wines that are too good to bottle.

“I got into wine in my teens and for me it was all about stories. It’s the same today after half a decade in the trade as a buyer: I look for people who are writing their own narrative – planting indigenous grapes, reviving the life of millennia old soils, nurturing their wines in barrels, celebrating their wines by the carafe with friends and loved ones. Every wine has a story, and now I spend my time canning little moments of each.”

 
Abi Chell, UK Sales Manager

Abi is in charge of Canned Wine Co.’s partnerships and events, working with everyone from indie wine merchants up and down the country to our distributors and national accounts. You’ll catch Abi at one of our many trade shows or tastings, pouring tasters of our canned wine and making friends along the way. When Abi isn’t out and about supporting our friends, you’ll find her helping Ben source the next best wine as our Assistant Buyer.

“Sharing delicious wine and food has always been something I thoroughly enjoy. Having studied languages at university, I have been lucky to experience a diverse range of cultures and places, made all the better through sharing experiences and chatting with locals over a glass of the best. Now working closely with our trade partners, I love to see the innovative and unique ways our wines are being served to help to bring similar enjoyment to customers a little closer to home.”
 

Marieke Hammes, Sustainability & Operations Manager

Marieke was one of the first to join the Canned Wine Co. team and has been a vital part of forming our company’s brand identity and ethos. Passionate about sustainability and a better world, Marieke achieved a Masters in Carbon Management at the University of Edinburgh in 2021. With excellent credentials and a focus on genuine change, Marieke heads up our green values and is helping us mould a truly sustainable wine company. 

“I grew up in the beautiful Pfalz wine region in Germany, manifesting my love for wine since my teens, especially for Riesling from neighbouring winemakers. I’m excited to combine my interest in wine with my passion for sustainability on a daily basis and explore ways in which canned wine can disrupt the traditional wine industry which is typically associated with a higher environmental footprint.”

Elena Whitehead, Brand Manager

Elena oversees all things brand at Canned Wine Co., from our marketing to our events team. Drawing on her entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and love for great wine, Elena promotes our quality canned wines across the UK and in our export markets. You’ll find her at tastings, markets, shooting our next social media campaign, and working alongside our partners to show everyone just how good canned wine can be.

"My mum worked in wine and her passion and enthusiasm has undoubtedly rubbed off on me. Having finished school in Spain and completed a degree in Psychology and Innovation at Bristol University, I also joined the industry, working with Ben at Novel Wines. This is where I was first introduced to the Canned Wine Co. range, when I led virtual tastings over lockdown! I am very excited to be part of a team that’s helping others discover delicious wine in a more sustainable and practical format. We don't want anyone to miss out."

 

Rachael Curry, Technical Manager

Rachael oversees all things quality, ensuring it is upheld at a high level from buying to production and beyond - utilising her laboratory experience at one of the UK's leading beverage packing facilities. Through quality control, repeated analysis post-canning and continual research, she ensures our wines meet their full potential in can! Joined by a mutual keenness to have sustainability leading the business, Rachael also helps Marieke build Canned Wine Co.’s sustainable strategy. 

 

"Studying overseas for my Chemistry Masters in the Okanagan Valley wine region in British Columbia, Canada, sparked a love for all things wine and the science of it. l have since worked a vintage in South Australia and completed WSET level 3, where I first met the Canned Wine Co. team. I was hooked by their passion for an exciting alternative way to present high quality wine to the public in a uniquely sustainable format. What I find most special about exploring quality wines is the opportunity to share the experience with others."

 

Bella Charlton, Direct Trade Account Manager

Bella is our direct trade account manager, looking after customers selling our wines up and down the country. Bella's interest in wine was inspired by her love of food, travel and culture, and she shares that passion today with all our customers and friends. Bella brings experience from the world of PR, extreme sports and luxury lifestyle to her new role.

"Having lived and worked in France and Spain, especially in places like Provence, my passion for wine has only increased. I love the outdoors - I'm a keen ski racer! - and Canned Wine Co.'s commitment to sustainability really appealed to me. It is exciting to combine my enjoyment of wine with making a positive impact on the planet."

 

Sophie Heslop-Charman, Office Manager

Sophie is responsible for ensuring the smooth running of the office, making sure everything happens as it should! She brings her years of experience in the food and drink industry so is very at home in our busy office. 

"Growing up near the Vineyards of Switzerland and the Dordogne, and with a father from the wine trade, it’s safe to say that I rather enjoy wine! I’ve spent the past few years in the food and drink industry, and have very happily found my feet at Canned Wine Co. An evening spent cooking, whilst in good company with exquisite wine is my idea of heaven!"

 

Shivani Handa, London Account Manager

Shivani looks after our London partnerships, forging new connections and looking after our valued partners. Shivani has a background in international development, having previously spent her career helping countries around the world work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and has now combined her passion and drive for sustainability with her love of wine.  

“Sustainability and the ethos around a better tomorrow are core values that I carry with me in whatever I do! To combine this mission with my love for wine feels like a dream come true. We are proud to partner with top European winemakers and I look forward to sharing some truly exciting wine varieties."

 

Milly Wilson, Account Manager

Milly brings her experience in retail to support our accounts across the UK. While not a big wine drinker when she first joined, Milly is now experiencing the good stuff and is quickly becoming a fan! Alongside her role at Canned Wine Co., Milly is studying for a degree in Business at the University of Bath.

“I joined Canned Wine Co. on my first placement whilst studying BSc Business at the University of Bath. This role helped me learn about wines and I enjoyed it so much that I have come back to continue supporting the stockists I introduced the wines to when I first started. I've loved trying new wines - my current favourite is the Grenache Rosé!"

Lauren Blanchard, Marketing & Events Executive

Lauren is our Marketing & Events Executive working alongside Elena finding the best way to get showcase our wines - be it at tastings, festivals, or on TikTok! She is a Business student at the University of Bath and is very excited to transform her skills learnt into practice, all while continuing to grow her love for wine.

“I am thrilled to be completing my placement here at Canned Wine Co. as part of my BSc Business degree. I have always loved delicious wine so being able to be involved in the wine industry to grow my knowledge is amazing, and I am excited to be apart of an amazing team to show just how good our wine is."

 

Sami Horwood, Marketing & Events Executive

Sami is the Marketing and Events Executive and will be helping Elena in brand management as well as planning events. He is studying Business at the University of Bath and will use the skills he’s learnt as well as his passion for wine to help spread the word about great wine in cans.

“I’m really excited to be spending my placement at a company with environmental values that match my own and with amazing wine! I look forward to being part of such a fun team and helping make sure everyone tries our wines”

 

Lisa Solovieva, Chief Cheerleader

Lisa cheers on the Canned Wine Co. team from the outside, mainly as the better half of Simon, who she met on the MBA at the University of Bath. Lisa has worked with food and drink companies like Zenith Global and has a passion for putting on memorable events and working with the best people in the trade.
 

 

 

Want to join us? Check out our job openings here.