About the Vineking
Great Wine. No Nonsense.The Vineking was founded by Erik Laan in 2003 with a simple idea: buying wine should be enjoyable and without all the nonsense.
Back then, the choice often felt limited. On one side were supermarket shelves packed with familiar brands. On the other were traditional wine merchants where wine could sometimes feel more complicated than it needed to be. Erik believed there was room for something different: somewhere people could discover great wines, ask questions freely and enjoy expert advice without excessive jargon.
More than twenty years later, that philosophy remains exactly the same.
Today, The Vineking is based in the heart of Reigate, Surrey, where you'll find our wine shop, artisan deli and wine bar all under one roof. Whether you're looking for a bottle for dinner, some wonderful cheese for a weekend gathering, or a gift for some’s birthday, we're here to help.
What We Mean by "No Nonsense"
Wine has a habit of making people think they need to know the right words before they're allowed to enjoy it.We don't think that's true.
You don't need to know your terroir from your tannins, that’s our job. Just tell us what you like drinking, what you're planning to eat and roughly what you'd like to spend, and we'll help you find something you'll love.We might also suggest a bottle you wouldn't normally choose. That's often where the magic happens. Many of our regular customers came in looking for their usual and left with a new favourite.
Our aim has always been simple: make great wine accessible, enjoyable and exciting to explore.
What's in store
We stock hundreds of wines from around the world, from easy-drinking midweek bottles to wines for life's special celebrations.
Alongside our wine range, you'll find carefully selected beers, spirits and an artisan deli featuring a delicious selection of cheeses and all the extras like chutneys, crackers and all the good stuff.
Everything we stock is there because we genuinely enjoy it ourselves and believe our customers will too.
The People Behind The Vineking
Our team know their wine, with plenty of professional qualifications between them, but don’t worry, nobody here is interested in lecturing you. We'd much rather hear about a bottle you've enjoyed recently, what you're cooking this weekend, or where you're heading on holiday, and help you find something exciting to try next.
We're wine enthusiasts first and foremost, and helping people discover something new remains one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
More Than just a Wine Shop
The Vineking is more than a place to buy wine.
Our deli offers a constantly evolving range of artisan cheeses and foodie favourites, while on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, the shop transforms into a relaxed wine bar where great wines, good food and good company come together.
We also host regular tastings, events and special evenings designed to help you explore the world of wine in a friendly and informal way, we’re even available for private hire.
Come and Say Hello
The best way to get to know us is to pop in.Browse the shelves, discover something new in the deli, join us for a tasting or pull up a chair in the wine bar for a glass and a bite to eat.However you choose to enjoy The Vineking, you'll always find a warm welcome, honest advice and, above all, great wine without the nonsense.
Cheers,
Erik Laan Founder, The Vineking