Starting Out
BinTwo opened in 2013, and now with 10 years under their belt, they’ve grown in confidence as well as fans over time, becoming a must-visit for locals and far travelling tourists alike. Owner Mike confesses he ended up in the wine trade by accident, having visited the bar regularly as a local after moving to Padstow and then gained a job there for a couple of days a week. After learning the ropes and finding a love for wine, the original owner approached Mike to buy the business and he just couldn’t refuse.
How Has BinTwo Developed Over The Last 10 Years?
Taking what was essentially just a wine shop, where you could sample a glass before buying, Mike has introduced more of a bar vibe, letting you stay and enjoy an array of different drinks over a tapas board. Alongside his wife Mary, they also opened The Arc Speciality Foodstore in Hawksfield – which is on the Atlantic Highway to Wadebridge. In there, Mike has a concession, featuring his favourite wines that are perfectly paired with the food Mary sells.
Bossing Their Own Vino
Not just content with selling other brand’s drink, Mike went onto creating an in-house gin called Sea Maiden Gin (it’s so good!). They also collaborated with Tarquin’s, making an old style Tom – only available at BinTwo. And last but not least (and something Mike and his team should be hugely proud of) is his own produced sparkling wine, uniquely named… wait for it… “Fizzy Bum Bum”. They make 1000 bottles each year, and the fourth FBB is available at BinTwo, The Arc Foodstore and online now – go go go!
Gearing Up For Christmas
BinTwo will be throwing casual festive wine tasting sessions on the lead up to the big day, that promise not to be as stuffy as other tasting events tend to be, encouraging all walks of life to venture in and enjoy. Of course Mike and the team are very excited about the annual Padstow Christmas Festival (on from 7th – 10th Dec) known to be their busiest time of the year. Mike will be leading the carols on the Friday night and encourages you all to pop along with your best singing voices! If you miss the Padstow festival but really really want to hear him sing, you can catch him again on Christmas eve around 2pm.
Mike’s Favourite Food & Drink Haunts
Without any hesitancy to think, Mike exclaims that Prawn On The Lawn in Padstow is his favourite place when eating out. And we can’t blame him! It’s relaxed, the sharing platters are out of this world – if you haven’t been before, go, just make sure you book in advance as it’s a firm favourite with everyone. He mentions his local – St. Kew Inn too, a “proper pub” he calls it and admits it’s his “happy space”. For a phenomenal Italian meal, Mike and his wife Mary visit Appleton’s in Fowey (we love it too – their home made pasta is to die for!).
How Mike Relaxes
Mike admits that even though he hasn’t done it in a while, getting into the water for a surf really helps him decompress and relax. He’s also just taken up going to gym, finding the experience unbelievably good for chilling out after a hard day. As a firm coffee lover, he enjoys downtime hanging at Rising Ground’s The Outlet – based at Clear Space, Dunveth Business Park in Wadebridge. And when the weather’s right, he loves nothing more than jumping onto this motorbike and cruising the beautiful Cornish coastline to “clear the cobwebs”.
Why Should Everyone Visit BinTwo?
Well, for the last 4 years running, BinTwo has been in the top 10 of all independent wine merchants in the UK – as voted by professional judges at Harpers – and have won it twice! Which is pretty impressive! Mike puts it down to their unique environment at BinTwo which is warm, welcoming and never intimidating. His staff are fantastic and will make you feel part of the family, and whether you’re covered in sand after being on the beach with the dog, or dressed up to the nines, you are always welcome at BinTwo.
Watch the full video of our catch up HERE.