The last two years have kept 67 Pall Mall’s founder and CEO Grant Ashton busier than expected. As the pandemic lulled business in London and delayed the Singapore club opening, Ashton found time to fine-tune the nuts and bolts of the Singapore outpost, deliver online wine tastings to his 4,000 strong London members, and make strides towards international expansion.
He recently opened a new branch in the ski town of Verbier, Switzerland and set plans in a few other cities – Burgundy, Bordeaux, Mumbai, New York, Berlin – in motion. Melbourne, Shanghai, and Tokyo are next on the expansion plans. In the little time he had to spare, he launched a dedicated wine TV channel. As he says, it’s not been a cheap year, but “it’s not been a disaster.”
THE FIRST OUTPOST, DELAYED
Perched on the 27th floor of Shaw Towers on bustling Orchard Road, 67 Pall Mall Singapore is now slated to open mid-February, and Ashton is in town to oversee the final takes on the expansive 15,000 sq ft penthouse property. I caught up with him amid a flurry of yellow hats industriously setting up the gargantuan 17-tonne wine tower, the grand feature of the main bar.
“Big is what we do,” Ashton says. “The biggest wine by the glass list in the world will be in Singapore.” In addition to 1000 wines by the glass (courtesy of Coravin technology), the wine list will also feature a selection of 5,000 wines sourced from over 42 countries showcasing close to 250 grape varieties.
Where he does not want to go big is the markups. “This is just not how our pricing policy works,” he says.
Denne historien er fra February - March 2022-utgaven av Epicure Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February - March 2022-utgaven av Epicure Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Plant-Powered Paradise
Exploring Seoul's Burgeoning Vegetarian Food Scene
Brewing tradition, bottling innovation
Chunpoong Brewery is safeguarding a cherished Korean beverage, makgeolli, while embracing innovation for a new era.
Home is where the heart is
The best memories are often made at home, something which Hideaway, Nae:um Group's latest venue featuring a cosy design inspired by nature, is venture, aims to recreate.
The Life Aquatic
On board Oceania Cruises' Riviera, a luxurious two-week voyage along the Southeast Asian coastline delivers on its promise as a food lover's paradise at sea, offering an array of specialty restaurants, thoughtfully re-inspired menus, and a state-of-the-art cooking school.
Bright lights, big city
Going to Bangkok for an extended weekend? We've narrowed down a few places for you to swing by.
Sun, sea and banh mi
NOX Beach Club in Central Vietnam is a balmy haven for daytime escapes and after-dark events. Plus you will never go hungry here thanks to the collection of six restaurants and bars.
Laneway stars
Melbourne shines bright with its bevy of dining gems and new luxe hotels. It's time to revisit this well-loved destination.
Spiced and praised
These spice-centric East Indies Gins from Spice Island Distilling Co. have been acclaimed for their authentic excellence.
Girl power
Seoul's female bartenders liven up the city's drinking scene with their artistry and expertise.
Eye on Asia
After 25 years in Hong Kong and 12 in Singapore, British wine merchants Berry Bros.& Rudd is a seasoned player on the Asian wine landscape. Charlie Rudd, a fourthgeneration family member, now leads the charge in Asia.
