Guido Vella Cash & Carry

Guido Vella Cash & Carry is one of Malta's best-known drinks wholesalers, based in Qormi, a town just inland from Valletta and the Grand Harbour. It began as a small bottle shop in 1962 and has grown into a supplier of beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and other beverages, with its own convenience shop alongside the wholesale side. On VisitMalta.co.uk it sits among the island's wine merchants.

For a UK reader the appeal is range and value. The online shop lists more than 1,000 products, from everyday lagers to rare single malts, and the business is still family-owned and run.

A family business since 1962

The firm was founded by Guido Vella and his brothers, who started with a humble bottle shop and soon became established as a leading beverage distributor in Malta. After a few years the brothers went their separate ways and Guido carried on alone. More than half a century later the company is still family-owned and operated.

Over the years it has built partnerships with major beverage manufacturers around the world, which is how a Qormi warehouse comes to stock everything from Scottish distillery bottlings to French cocktail syrups, and why the shelves cover so many price levels, from budget blends to collectors' bottles. Brands featured on the website include Bladnoch, a Galloway distillery dating from 1817, and Vedrenne syrups from France, produced since 1923.

Whisky, spirits and wine

Spirits are the strongest part of the catalogue. The single malt shelf runs from Aberfeldy and Auchentoshan to Ardbeg, with a long list of Bladnoch expressions, and there are separate sections for bourbon, blended whisky, gin, vodka, rum, tequila and liqueurs. Prices on the website are shown in euros: a 70cl Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey is €21.00, Ballantine's Blended Scotch Whisky 70cl is €15.55, and Ardbeg 10 Years is €57.01. At the top end, Bladnoch 30 Years is listed at €1,299.99.

The shop also covers wines and port, champagne and prosecco, and a large beer and cider range, with many beers sold as single bottles or by the case. A warehouse sale section marks down selected bottles, such as The Hakushu Distiller's Reserve Single Malt Japanese Whisky, reduced from €161.00 to €115.00.

Hampers, panettone and gifts

Seasonal and gift lines sit beside the drinks. The site carries Italian La Torinese panettone and pandoro, from a classic 750g panettone at €8.75 to a 3000g hat-box panettone at €75.00, plus Heidi chocolates and a hamper collection, including a build-your-own option and ready-made luxury hampers and wine packs.

If you are visiting Malta and planning gifts for family at home, a hamper is simple to pack. If you also want flowers, Alistair Floral Design is listed in our directory, and anyone planning a party can look at Afterglow Events for children's events.

Visiting Qormi

The cash and carry is on Amleto Spiteri Street, open six days a week and on Sunday mornings. Qormi is a practical stop if you are staying in a self-catering place and want to stock up, and free delivery is offered online, subject to terms and conditions. Stocking up before a villa or apartment stay is easy, since beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks can all be bought in one place, and the convenience shop covers everyday extras.

Qormi is close to some of Malta's best-known heritage sites: the Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum is a short drive away, and our Valletta guide covers the capital. For planning, see where to stay in Malta, things to do in Malta, flights to Malta from the UK and the Malta weather guide. Read the about Malta overview for background.

To ask about stock, trade supply or delivery, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Guido Vella Cash & Carry.