Rinse Natural Wine has just opened in the heart of Leeds. This is the third shop for Gemma and Elis Williams who own Fika North and Bottle Chop, both in Headingley.

“We didn’t want to create a chain because the core of what we do is indie,” says Gemma. “So although Rinse has the same offering that we have at Bottle Chop, we wanted to give it a bit of a different identity.” 

The new name pays homage to the previous long-term tenant, Blue Rinse Vintage, which has relocated to premises over the road. 

The couple opened their coffee shop, Fika North, in 2019 and diversified into wine two years later with Bottle Chop.

“Headingley is probably one of the most affluent suburbs of Leeds and the demographic is really interesting,” says Gemma. “We have customers of all ages: students, people who work at the university, doctors, all of whom are just looking for quality. People who have spent time in Spain, France, Italy, all of these lovely places which serve gorgeous food and gorgeous wine. That’s what they’re interested in and that’s what we deliver.”

The business works exclusively with natural wines which are sourced from suppliers including Beattie & Roberts, Under the Bonnet Wines and Otros Vinos.

“We do cheese and charcuterie at both sites,” adds Gemma, “but we also do special small plates, maybe in relation to what it is that we’re pouring, or to a specific event. And now, because we are in the city centre at Rinse Natural Wine, we have the market. There’s the most amazing array of fresh fish, fresh veg, fresh meat, fresh everything less than 100 yards away. 

“So we are going to use the market as a resource for daily or weekly changing specials. It’s exciting to have this opportunity on our doorstep.”

Having worked as a designer for 20 years before moving into the hospitality industry, Gemma says that it’s the creative part of the job she enjoys the most. “Creating the spaces and environments and coming up with the brands is what I really love. 

“It helps that I have the most amazing team, some of whom have been with me the whole time. Because they’re so brilliant it allows me to be creative and build more things. I’m very lucky.”