Between the two of us, we’ve been swirling, sipping, and spilling wine wisdom for 37 years. One of us turns grapes into viral gold; the other’s a sommelier who can pair wine with anything—yes, even hotdogs.
We started this because wine felt stuck: either too stuffy or snoozy. So we’re bringing you the fun stuff—unexpected bottles, under-the-radar producers, rebellious grape varieties, and labels that look as good as they taste.
Think of this as your wine playground. It’ll grow with what you ask for, crave, or accidentally DM us after two glasses.
Can’t pronounce the grape? Need a great value crowd-pleaser? Just want to talk tannins? We’ve got you. We love wine.
And yes—we always finish the bottle!.
Uncork the Fun: Meet The Grape Wizard! 🍷✨
Say goodbye to intimidating wine menus, pretentious tasting notes, and guessing whether "notes of damp forest floor" is actually a compliment.
Welcome to The Grape Wizard—where we’re stripping away the snobbery and putting the fun back into every pour. Hosted by Jason Davies - I'm on a mission to make the world of wine easy, accessible, and ridiculously enjoyable.
What I'm All About 🪄🍇
Zero Stuffy Jargon: If a wine tastes like liquid sunshine and weekend vibes, that’s what I call it.
Wild & Wonderful Finds: From hidden-gem boutique bottles and quirky orange wines to iconic cult classics, I find the pours worth talking about.
Good Drinks, Great Company: Live virtual tastings, global wine-day celebrations, and real talk about what’s actually in your glass.
Join the Wine Revolution! 🍾
Whether you're looking for the perfect Friday night pairing, curious about alternative grape varieties, or just want to drink better wine without the headache, you've come to the right place.
Follow the Magic: Catch daily micro-reviews, live chats, and behind-the-scenes vineyard adventures on Instagram @thegrapewizard.
Explore the Blog: Uncover effortless guides, tasting notes, and producer spotlights at thegrapewizard.com.
Uncork the Fun: Meet The PrivateSomm 🍷✨
Wayne Baxendale, commonly known in wine circles and online as PrivateSomm (or the "Wine Hospitalian"), is a veteran UK sommelier, hospitality expert, and wine buyer with over 30 years of global industry experience.
Originally hailing from Wigan in North West England, Baxendale has built a career around demystifying wine and stripping away the traditional pretension often associated with high-end wine and dining.
Key Profile Highlights & Career History
The "Wine Hospitalian": Baxendale champions a service philosophy focused on accessibility and human connection over stuffy traditional etiquette. His career has taken him across global cruise ships, high-end private client consulting, boutique wine shops, and Michelin-starred hospitality operations.
Wine Direct Importing & Distribution: For several years, Baxendale has operated independent importing businesses, bringing niche, artisan, and boutique producers directly into the UK market. He has also handled portfolio and sales management for North American and Californian wine specialists, such as Cellars Wines.
Industry Judge & Speaker: He serves as a professional judge for major international competitions, including the London Wine Competition, and regularly features on industry podcasts and panels discussing modern hospitality and wine trends.
Core Ethos & Signature Style
Demystifying Champagne & Fine Wine: Baxendale believes fine wine—especially Champagne—should be approachable, relaxed, and fun rather than locked behind dress codes and white tablecloths.
Focus on Small Growers: Rather than relying solely on giant commercial brands, his selections highlight sustainable, family-run, and artisan growers.
Personal & Private Consulting: Through his private sommelier services (operating under his PrivateSomm identity and consulting ventures), he provides cellar curation, event hosting, and bespoke wine experiences for private clients and hospitality brands.