“We’re on a mission to make wine accessible for everyone” Manchester Wine Tours celebrate first anniversary

Wine is often seen as an exclusive world, cloaked in mystique and elitism. Kelly Bishop, the creative force behind Manchester Wine Tours, is breaking down these barriers.

In just one year, she’s built a thriving independent business and made wine fun, approachable, and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or knowledge.

Manchester Wine Tours

Kelly’s path into wine tourism wasn’t exactly planned. As a well-established food and drink writer and editor, Kelly had spent several years covering Manchester’s buzzing hospitality scene, writing for publications like VICE, Time Out and many more. But in 2023, she decided it was time to explore new opportunities.

“I wanted more freedom in my work and to try something different,” Kelly recalled.

“I’d been freelancing for a while, writing for various outlets, but I had this itch to build something of my own.”

At the time, she was also working at Manchester Wine School, teaching wine courses and deepening her already strong understanding of wine. It was there that the seeds for Manchester Wine Tours were planted.

“I was becoming more confident in my wine knowledge, but what I really loved was sharing that with others—especially people who didn’t necessarily feel like they ‘belonged’ in the wine world,” she explained.

“Wine can seem intimidating if you’re not familiar with it, and I wanted to create an experience that broke away from all that pretension.”

After months of planning, Kelly launched Manchester Wine Tours in October 2023, offering guided tours of the city’s best wine bars and restaurants.

Unlike other wine tours that can feel stuffy or overly formal, Kelly’s tours are about fun, discovery, and accessibility. “I wanted the tours to be relaxed and welcoming,” she said

“No snobbery, no intimidation—just good wine, good company, and a chance to learn something new in a fun environment.”

Five-star reviews across the board

One year later, Kelly’s gamble has paid off. Manchester Wine Tours has earned glowing five-star reviews across the board, with guests calling it “a fantastic experience,” “a must-do in Manchester,” and “the perfect day out.”

Many have returned for multiple tours, drawn to Kelly’s laid-back, personal approach and the ever-changing selection of wines and venues.

“I’m proud of how far we’ve come in just a year,” Kelly said.

“It’s been amazing to see the response, and I’ve been lucky to have a lot of repeat customers. I think it’s because no two tours are the same—the venues and wines are always changing, so people know they’re going to get a new experience each time.”

Kelly Bishop didn’t grow up with wine on the dinner table. In fact, she’s quick to admit that her first experiences with wine were far from glamorous. “My dad used to make wine from kits he bought at Boots, and it was awful!” she laughed.

Growing up in Chorley in a working-class family, fine wine wasn’t something she encountered until later in life. “Most of the wine I drank as a young adult came from places like Tesco or Spar, and that’s still where most people buy their wine.”

But that all changed when she began writing about food and drink. Through her work, Kelly had the opportunity to explore different cuisines and wine regions, and she soon realised that wine didn’t have to be intimidating—it could be something that anyone could enjoy, no matter their background or budget.

“I’ve learned that spending just a little more on a bottle can make a huge difference in quality,” she said.

“But even if you don’t have a big budget, there are still plenty of great wines out there—you just need to know where to look. That’s something I try to show people on the tours.”

A no-nonsense attitude to wine

Kelly’s approachable, no-nonsense attitude toward wine is part of what makes her tours so special.

Whether you’re a complete novice or a seasoned wine enthusiast, you’ll feel right at home on one of her tours. “I want people to feel comfortable asking questions,” she says. “There’s no judgement—no one should feel embarrassed for not knowing something about wine. We’re all learning together.”

It’s an attitude that has won Kelly many fans, and her success hasn’t gone unnoticed. In 2024, she was named one of Code Hospitality’s Women in Hospitality, a prestigious recognition that highlights trailblazing women in the industry. “I was blown away,” she said, after receiving the accolade.

To be included among such an inspiring group of women was incredible. It was great to see this recognition of women— and not just those based in London— making waves in hospitality.”

Celebrating Manchester’s wonderful food and drink scene

While Kelly’s love of wine is obvious, her passion for Manchester is equally strong. “I’ve lived in Manchester for years, and I just love this city,” she said.

“It’s got such a thriving food and drink scene, and there are so many amazing independent businesses here. I wanted to create something that celebrated both wine and the city.”

Manchester Wine Tours does just that. Each tour takes guests on a walking journey through the heart of the city, stopping at four different venues along the way.

But it’s not just about wine—the tours also highlight the city’s rich history and architecture, with Kelly providing little tidbits about Manchester’s past between stops. “It’s a nice way to mix things up and give people a sense of the city’s culture,” she said.

The venues on Kelly’s tours are carefully selected to showcase the best of Manchester’s wine scene. From cosy wine bars like KERB and Flawd in Ancoats to the French deli Petit Paris, each stop offers something unique. “I love discovering new places, and I want to share that excitement with my guests,” Kelly said.

“The venues are all places that I love—places where the wine is interesting, where the atmosphere is welcoming, and where you can get great food to go along with it.”

In true Kelly style, the wines themselves are also anything but predictable. Guests can expect to taste a range of wines, from familiar French, Italian, and Spanish bottles to lesser-known varieties from regions like Hungary, Poland, and Japan.

“I like to keep things interesting,” she said. “I want people to try wines they’ve never had before—something that makes them go, ‘Wow, I didn’t know this existed!’”

Democratising wine

For Kelly, running Manchester Wine Tours is more than just a business—it’s a mission to democratise wine and make it accessible to everyone. “Wine has always been seen as something exclusive, something for the elite,” she said.

“But that’s changing, and I want to be part of that change. I want people to feel like wine is for them, no matter where they come from or how much they know about it.”

As a female entrepreneur in a male-dominated industry, Kelly is also passionate about supporting other women in wine. “The wine world is still quite male-dominated, but it’s slowly starting to change,” she said.

“I’m part of a group of women in Manchester’s wine industry, and we meet up to taste wines and support each other. It’s a space where we can be ourselves, free from the occasional patronising attitudes we sometimes face.”

Kelly’s advice for other women looking to start their own business is simple: “Just do it. It’s not going to be easy—it’s a lot of hard work and there are going to be challenges along the way. But if you’re passionate about what you’re doing, it’s worth it. You don’t need to know everything from the start—you’ll figure it out as you go.”

What’s Next for Manchester Wine Tours?

With the first year of business behind her, Kelly is already thinking about how to grow and evolve Manchester Wine Tours. “I’d love to see more people booking on Fridays and Sundays,” she said.

“Saturdays are already selling out, but I think there’s potential to get more people involved in the Friday and Sunday tours, especially since those days offer a different vibe.”

She’s also considering expanding her tour offerings to include venues outside the city centre.

“There are some amazing wine spots in Greater Manchester that I’d love to include, but they’re not walkable from the city centre,” she explains.

“Maybe one day I’ll organise a minibus tour and take people to places like Cork of the North in Heaton Moor or Grape to Grain in Prestwich.”

One thing’s for sure: Kelly’s passion for wine and her love of Manchester will keep driving the success of Manchester Wine Tours.

As she heads into her second year of business, she’s excited to continue sharing her love of wine with others and making sure that everyone—whether they’re wine experts or complete beginners—feels welcome.

“I’m so grateful for how far we’ve come in just a year,” she says. “It’s been more successful than I ever imagined, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds. For now, I’ll keep doing what I love—showing people the best wines Manchester has to offer, one tour at a time.”

How to get involved with Manchester Wine Tours

Tours: Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 3 PM.
Cost: £75 per person (including wine and snacks).
Group size: Up to 12 people.
Booking: Essential, as many tours sell out weeks in advance.
Special offer: On October 29th, 2024, to celebrate Manchester Wine Tours’ first anniversary, discounted tickets and gift vouchers are available!

For more information or to book a tour, visit Manchester Wine Tours HERE or follow @manchesterwinetours on Instagram.