Wines & Co

Wines & Co is an independent wine merchant on Xemxija Hill, on the northern coast of Malta close to St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa. Founded in 2012, it grew out of more than thirty-five years of experience in food and drink, and it builds its range by selecting wines to import rather than simply stocking the big labels. It sits with the island's other wine merchants on VisitMalta.co.uk.

The aim is to be more than just another wine supplier. Customers get personal recommendations and extra background on wines and spirits, and everything is available either by the case or by the single bottle.

The wine range

The online shop lists 542 wines. Red is the biggest group at 287, followed by 171 whites, 54 sparkling wines, 26 rosés, 16 champagnes and 10 dessert wines. Among the reds, Italy supplies over 200 bottles, with smaller groups from France, Spain, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Portugal, and there are two Maltese wines. Alcohol-free red and white wines are listed as well.

Prices are printed in euros and cover the whole spectrum. A Cantine Pellegrino Parthenium Nero d'Avola is €6.50, a Corte delle Calli Prosecco DOC Extra Dry 20cl is €3.75, a Barbaresco Valeirano from Ada Nada is €43.00 and a Louis Roederer Champagne is €64.00. At the top end, a Sassicaia 2020 is €340.00, and large-format bottles of Primitivo di Manduria from Cignomoro are sold in 1.5 litre and 3 litre sizes.

Spirits, gourmet foods and gifts

Beyond wine, the shop sells spirits including gin, whisky, rum, tequila, vodka, cognac, grappa, vermouth and liqueurs, plus other drinks such as beer, ciders, soft drinks and mixers. A gourmet section stocks amaretti, coffee, olive oils and vinegars, olives, preserves, nuts, panettone and puddings.

Gifts are a strength. Wines & Co makes customised hampers, with Easter and Christmas hampers, a build-your-own hamper tool and ready-made gift packs. Gift vouchers come in values of €10, €15, €25, €50 and €100, which suits a last-minute present. Seasonal bundles, such as summer offers where you buy three and get one free, are displayed on the home page.

Ordering and delivery

Orders are placed online, and delivery in Malta and Gozo is free for orders of €45 or more. The shop shows a monthly selection of hand-picked wines and runs buy-one-get-one-free deals on selected bottles. The delivery and returns policy is published on the website. Customers must confirm they are over 17 before browsing, since selling alcohol to anyone younger is prohibited in Malta.

If you are staying in self-catering accommodation in the north of the island, ordering a case of wine to be delivered is a practical way to stock up before a stay. Shoppers who like to plan can use the category menus to browse by country or grape, from Italian reds and French whites to Chilean Carmenère, then settle on a mixed case. Staff are on hand for recommendations if you are unsure what to pair with a barbecue or a seafood supper by the sea.

Visiting Xemxija and the north

Xemxija lies between St Paul's Bay and Mellieħa, so the shop is easy to combine with a day out in the north. For dives and watersports, Abyss Diving Club Bugibba is a short drive away, and Amazing Boat Trips Malta runs boat days from the area. The photography studio AldoPics is also listed nearby in our directory.

Our guides to hotels in Qawra and St Paul's Bay, the Mellieħa guide and Popeye Village will help you plan the north, and the best beaches in Malta and Golden Bay cover the coast. Use things to do in Malta for more ideas.

To ask about wine, a hamper or an order, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to Wines & Co.