About Us
North Norfolk Cellars was launched in 2023 by sommelier Bert Blaize. We're based in Holt, we're here to share great wines.
Bert learned his stuff at La Belle Epoque in Manchester and Raymond Blancs Le Manoir aux Quat Saisons, 2 Michelin Star in Oxfordshire. Before joining the Clove Club - UK’s top-ranked restaurant in ‘World’s 50 Best Restaurants’ for two years running and 26th best restaurant in the world. He collaborated with Dan Barber of 'Blue Hill At Stone Barns' on his revolutionary 'WastED' project.
In 2019, Bert won the UK’s Top Young Sommelier competition sponsored by Flint Wines. He then blended & released his wine with the legendary estate Château Pesquie. In 2018, he was nominated by GQ Magazine and Imbibe Magazine as ‘Sommelier of the Year’.
He then went on to open the Mandrake Hotel as Wine Director. Where he was named in the top 50 most influential people in the wine industry by Drinks Business.
In 2020, he published his first book with Penguin ‘Which Wine When’ – what to drink with the food you love. It was shortlisted for The Fortum & Mason Award for Drinks Book of the Year 2021. He then opened Bottles 'n' Jars in Highgate - an award-winning wine & deli shop.
In 2023, Bert was named the 18th most influential person in the UK drinks trade. Bert's next book 'The Winemakers Guide to Drinking the World' will be released later in 2024.
He currently consults & supports some of the UK's best restaurants, chefs and bars, writing and curating bespoke beverage offerings, specialising in wine.
