'We want to relieve the snobbery of the wine world': Redwood wine shop, kitchen and bar is bringing Californian flavour to Dunkeld

The husband and wife team behind this business have experience with luxury brands and hospitality

The town of Dunkeld might be most famous for its Douglas firs, but it’ll soon feature a business named in tribute to a Californian tree.

Wine shop, kitchen and bar, Redwood, opens in July, and is owned by husband and wife team, Big Tree Country native, Roseanna, 37, and Morgwn Preston-Jones, 38, originally from Oregon.

"We chose the name for its Californian connection to the giant redwoods and our location in Dunkeld surrounded by lush, dense pine forests”, says Roseanna. “We often walk the local trails surrounded by these towering trees, discussing and sharing our ideas for the business and relishing in our luck at living in such a beautiful part of Scotland."

Their new venue will be in the former premises of a post office and village shop, in a town that features other food businesses such as Flora Shedden’s ARAN Bakery and Dunkeld Smoked Salmon. Behind the window, which has been gilded by a redwood branch and cones, there will be wines from Wanderlust, small plates, and an opportunity to brush up your tasting skills and discover some new vino.

“The mission is to make wine accessible and fun by discovering smaller boutique vintners as well as exploring more classical vignerons”, says Roseanna. “Whether hosting intimate tastings or larger gatherings, the approach is simple; making people comfortable talking about wine. We want to relieve the pressure and snobbery of the wine world and make it fun, easy, educational, and accessible”.

It’s taken a while for the couple, who met behind the counter of a New York cafe 15 years ago, to realise their plan.

“We worked together in a small coffee shop called Hope & Union in Brooklyn while hustling through college and work gigs”, says Roseanna. “We always dreamt of owning our own business together since those early days together back in the US”.

Roseanna and Morgwn of Redwood

Since then, Roseanna, who will be looking after front-of-house at Redwood, has worked for luxury brands including London jeweller Boodles and Edinburgh’s Hamilton & Inches. As well as official wine training, Morgwn has racked up experience in the kitchens at London’s Moro, Bedales Wines at Borough Market as well as Dunkeld’s Seafood House. He also has family connections in the wine industry, as his step-mother owns Groth Vineyards & Winery in Napa Valley, who are known for their cabernet sauvignon. Redwood will be the only stockist of this in Scotland. However, they’ll also advocate for Scottish goods.

Their minimal interior design will include oak bar tops that are made from wood sourced from Murthly Castle Estate, the plates are by Argyll’s Sea Drift Pottery and they plan to serve Dunkeld Smoked Salmon, who share the same street with them, as well as other local produce.

“We are as passionate about food as we are about wine”, says Roseanna. “Alongside house-made charcuterie, artisanal cheeses, preserves, and organic produce, we will offer a weekly changing menu of inventive riffs on wine bar classics – all driven by the best of the season”.

This might include Morgwn’s signature beef tartare, or tacos, perhaps served to a soundtrack of Herbie Hancock or Metallica, anything goes.

As Roseanna says, “The space will be authentic to our personal style and taste”.

www.redwoodwines.co.uk

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