A brand new artisan wine bar and shop is opening at Wapping Wharf this weekend, selling specially imported wines from Portugal. Port O’Bristol will be the first bricks and mortar opening from the duo behind Bristol’s much-loved Xisto Wines. It will officially open this Sunday, December 22.
Founded by Anton and Lela in 2012, Xisto Wines has built a loyal following of wine lovers across Bristol and beyond, with their unique offering which sees them import speciality wines from Portugal to Bristol, all of which are shipped from port to port on sail cargo ships. They say that not only does this give customers the chance to sample something different, but dramatically reduces the environmental impact of the business as a whole.
Typically a bottle of Portuguese wine will arrive in the UK by road, clocking up over 1,300 road miles of diesel, whereas Xisto’s wind-powered approach reduces their carbon emissions to almost zero. Now, after 12 years of running Xisto Wines, the duo are opening their first location with a brand new wine bar and shop at Wapping Wharf’s Cargo One.
The location of the new shop, right on the harbourside at Wapping Wharf, is particularly poignant for the business, as customers will be able to see the wines being unloaded from the cargo sail ships at the Arnolfini. Visitors will be able to pick up a bottle or two from the shop, or alternatively stay and enjoy a glass overlooking the harbour.
Speaking about the new opening, co-founder Lela said: “Port O’ Bristol is our passion and we hope it becomes yours. We are super excited to be opening a sailed cargo wine bar and shop in Bristol’s historic harbour at Wapping wharf. Our motto is ‘Made by rebels, shipped by pirates, drunk by heroes’ and we look forward to welcoming more heroes to our bar.”
Stuart Hatton, managing director at Umberslade, added: “We’re so excited to see a brand new wine bar opening at Wapping Wharf, and we’re even more excited for it to be Port O’Bristol and the Xisto team. Their approach is so unique and we love their ethos – plus having everything shipped into the harbour just metres away makes it even more special.” explains Stuart.
Port O’Bristol will open on Sunday 22nd December and will then be open Tuesday – Thursday 12 – 7pm, Friday Saturday 12-8 pm, Sunday 1 pm – 5pm at Unit 2 in Cargo One.