About Mike
About Mike Turner
If you’re going to work with Mike, it’s best you know a bit about him first. This page gives a brief recap of his wine journey, and what got him there in the first place…
Wine Background
Mike started on his wine path in 2003 when his parents took him to Piemonte, in Northern Italy, for the first time. His first wine love was Moscato D’Asti, which UK snobs snub at every possible occasion. Cheer up everyone, it’s lovely stuff!
He began blogging about wine in 2014, the same year he started studying towards the WSET qualifications. He is currently studying for his WSET Diploma, with just one more exam to go when he finds the time!
When he began writing he quickly learned that trying to copy everyone else’s writing style was never going to work. He made his writing style purposefully conversational, rather than journalistic. Ok, it’s not going to be for everyone, but aiming at the 9 out 10 wine lovers that don’t read the higher end editorials. We all have different ways we do things, and it’s all about bringing people on the journey with you, right?
Since he started blogging, and then writing, he’s been lucky enough to travel the world meeting brilliant people, enjoying beautiful regions, and of course tasting some outstanding wines.
Other Business Interests
Mike is the co-Founder and Director of Feel Good Grapes, an online wine retailer which focuses on promoting producers pushing the boundaries of environmentally aware wine making. Along with his co-founder, the former England Rugby International Toby Flood, he pledges to offset all deliveries and the carbon footprint of each bottle by planting a tree for every bottle of wine they sell.
Mike is also an owner of La Ferme, a restaurant in London’s Primrose Hill district, alongside chef patron Guillaume Dunos, and hospitality entrepreneur François Guerin. Mike is more than happy to back the wine skills of onsite General Manager and Sommelier Jean-François Lesage, but uses the restaurant for tastings and product publicity events.
Previous Life
Mike’s biggest love (outside of wine…and his family of course) lies somewhere between mathematics and Bob Dylan.
After an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and a postgraduate degree in Finance and Investment, he found himself working as a bond trader in the City of London for 10 years before his move to the wine trade.
Personal Life
Mike lives in Lincolnshire, UK with his wife and two westies.
He follows pretty much any sport going, supporting Liverpool FC, Bath Rugby (sorry Toby!), and Lancashire Cricket. Since discovering podcasts he thinks jogging is now just about bearable.
He loves music of all angles…even jazz! I know, madness! He plays the drums fairly well and the guitar very badly.
He loves travelling, and learning new languages. He maintains the reason he can never get past intermediate level in French, Italian, and Norwegian is because of his front teeth.
Outside his office hours, he can mostly be found in his DIY shed.