After nearly six years running retail operations at Bolney Wine Estate, Zoey Walters has opened her own wine shop in her hometown of Lewes, East Sussex.

Maggie’s is based in Western Road, a hilly 15-minute walk away from the town’s other wine shops – Symposium and Harveys – as well as Waitrose. 

“I saw that a space had become available next to a brilliant butcher’s shop and thought that the time was right to branch out,” she says.

“I’m in year two of my WSET Diploma and wanted to drink more than just English wine, really.”

She adds: “I’ve only been trading for a month, but I’ve got lots of regulars already, and everyone’s been really, really positive. People are pleased that something’s opened in this end of town.”

Walters describes the range as mainly organic. “I’ve tried to get stuff that you can’t get anywhere else in Lewes – that’s the point, really,” she says, adding that sherry and vermouth – both personal favourites – are often open for curious customers to try.

Gonzalez Byass, Hatch Mansfield, Top Selection, Top Cuvée and Good Wine Good People are among the suppliers Walters is working with.

The business is named after her late grandmother. “I loved my nan,” she says. “She loved wine. And she was such a big supporter of me when I was younger, growing up. 

“She was brilliant person. She loved to party and she always had a bottle of fizz on the go. She lived in Spain half the year and she got me into cava. I’ve got fond memories of her and some nice photos to go up of her sitting next to empty bottles.”

Eventually Walters is hoping to run wine and food events, both in Lewes and the nearby village of Barcombe, where she now lives.