MYS 2021: Onshore Cellars Coping with Record-High Demand

Onshore Cellars is a globally-renowned fine wine and spirits merchant, known for provisioning some of the most iconic superyachts on the water. Based on the French Riviera in the very beating heart of the Mediterranean yachting landscape, Onshore Cellars boasts an award-winning wine list and is known as the leading supplier of fine wines and spirits in the South of France. But, as Ed explains, it wasn't always this way.

"My wife and I met on yachts way back in 2009," he tells us, "We'd done quite a number of years on the boats and we were looking for something shore-based."

With great knowledge comes a responsibility to share it. We were keen to learn more about the internationally-recognised training courses Onshore Cellars has initiated for prospective students. 

"We work with WSET - the Wine and Spirit Education Trust, which is based out of the UK... Ultimately through these courses, you can in theory become a master of wine."

Another cornerstone of Onshore Cellars' successful philosophy is to move with the times - for Ed and the team, this means encouraging the provision of sustainably-sourced wine onboard the company's global clientele. This is something Ed has noticed a sizeable uptick in demand for in recent years, he tells us, adding: "People are looking for things that are bio-dynamic, certainly vegan wines as well, people want to understand where the wines have come from and what's in them... There's a whole science to it, but essentially what it means you can drink wine that has no pesticides or anything else in it."

As with all of the interviewees we have welcomed into the studio, the effects of recent years have manifested in different ways for everyone. For Onshore Cellars, though demand has not seen a decrease from COVID, there was certainly a reduced crop due to the effects of climate change on vineyards and wine in recent years. 

"This year with the uptick of demand, a number of top champagne and rose producers have run out of stock, as everyone comes down to celebrate the perceived end of COVID. So that's been our biggest challenge this year."

Looking forward, there is plenty more to come from the dynamic team at Onshore Cellars. As they prepare to release a new guide for superyachts on understanding the ranges and regions of wines, Ed and the team are also looking to embrace a record-high demand for tequila.