More important than meeting price points, Lea and Sandeman is about value for money. From the very beginning this meant sourcing wines direct from growers. Although many of the domaines and growers on our list today are the same as when we started, our range has developed over the years, reflecting the introduction of both traditional and innovative producers. We are not name-buyers, we are quality buyers - our Sauvignon de Touraine is better than cheaper Sancerres, our Sancerre is among the best in the appellation.

"Lea & Sandeman - a firm of which I am a great admirer. A good measure of an independent merchant is how it buys. Deduct 10 points for those who simply ring round the wholesale importers; add 15 for those who, like Charles Lea, take the trouble to scout around the byways of the world's wine regions in search of exclusive little trouvailles... Their strength is in the wine world's classics (of which they have a constantly changing stock), characterful bargains from southern France, Valdespino connoisseur Sherries, and evidence of the Italian wine revolution that is shamefully rare in Britain." - Jancis Robinson in the Financial Times

Lea & Sandeman is about wine with personality. Our search for quality has led us to producers who work for the best expression of terroir and grape varieties, with the minimum of intervention, resulting in wines which are not only refreshing, but also uplifting to drink.

When we opened our first shop on the Fulham Road in 1988, the aim was to bring the full service of the traditional wine merchants to the High Street in updated form. So we offer advice, en primeur offers of Bordeaux and Burgundy, cellar planning, as well as wines for immediate drinking.