About Portland Wine Cellars
More Than a Wine Merchant. A Southport Institution.
For more than 100 years, there has been a wine and spirits merchant on the corner of Portland Street and Sefton Street in Southport.
Over the decades, plenty has changed in the world of wine, but the heart of Portland Wine Cellars has stayed remarkably consistent. This has always been a place built on quality, value, and proper customer service. It’s a place where people can discover something new, ask questions, and leave with a bottle they feel genuinely good about buying.
That legacy still matters today.
A Shop With History
Early 1900s
Portland Wine Cellars traces its roots back more than 100 years, when the corner of Portland Street and Sefton Street became home to a local wine and spirits merchant.
The Doward Brothers Years
Customers could visit the shop to buy everything from British real ales to fine wines, as well as refill their own bottles from the in-house sherry casks that once dominated the space.
As Southport Changed, So Did the Shop
Over the decades, the business evolved alongside the town itself. The shop expanded into neighbouring units and gradually became the prominent corner site many local people recognise today.
A Reputation Built Over Generations
As tastes shifted and the drinks industry changed, Portland Wine Cellars continued to build its reputation as a place for quality, value, and knowledgeable service. The giant sherry vats may be long gone, but the principles behind the business remained firmly in place.
A Specialist Merchant for Modern Southport
Today, Portland Wine Cellars offers a carefully chosen range of wines, beers, and spirits from around the world, with a strong focus on quality and bottles that offer real value.
2025 and Beyond
In 2025, Portland Wine Cellars entered a new chapter under the ownership of Phil Barber, who had already been part of the business for more than a decade. The goal is not to change what made the shop special, but to build on that legacy and carry it forward for a new generation of customers.
Quality First, Always
At Portland Wine Cellars, every bottle has to earn its place on our shelves.
Our approach is simple. If it’s not worth the money, it’s not worth stocking. That applies whether someone is spending under £10 on a bottle for the weekend or searching for something more special for a celebration, a gift, or a cellar.
We focus on drinks that offer real quality and character, not just familiarity. That means wines, beers, and spirits chosen for what is actually in the bottle, not just the label on the front.
It also means a range that goes far beyond the supermarket shelves. Alongside trusted favourites, you’ll find bottles from smaller producers, distinctive regions, and styles that are often harder to come by on the high street.
A New Chapter Under Phil Barber
In 2025, Portland Wine Cellars entered a new chapter under the ownership of Phil Barber.
Having already spent more than a decade as part of the business, Phil knows exactly what has made Portland Wine Cellars such a trusted part of Southport. His focus is on protecting the values that earned that reputation and carrying them forward in a way that feels right for today’s customers.
The foundations of the business remain the same: quality, service, and a genuine passion for helping people find the right bottle. This next chapter is about helping more people discover great wine, enjoy expert advice, and shop with confidence whether they know exactly what they like or have no idea where to start.
Portland Wine Cellars is here to make choosing wine feel enjoyable, welcoming, and personal.
Phil in 2017
Phil in 2025
Independent, Knowledgeable, and Here to Help
Being independent means we can choose what we stock based on quality and value, not head office targets. It means we can recommend bottles because we genuinely rate them. And it means customers can expect honest advice, thoughtful suggestions, and a level of care that’s hard to replicate in larger chains or supermarkets.
We are proud to serve everyone, from seasoned collectors to people picking up a bottle for dinner on the way home.
There’s no pressure or pretentiousness here; just good recommendations and great service.
More Than a Shop
Portland Wine Cellars is not just a place to buy wine.
We also host wine tasting events, giving customers the chance to try something new, learn more about different styles and regions, and enjoy wine in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
For customers who prefer to shop from home, we offer online ordering and free local delivery to selected postcodes, making it easier to enjoy the Portland Wine Cellars range wherever you are.
And we work closely with local bars, restaurants, and hospitality businesses, supplying wholesale wines, beers, and spirits with no minimum order and personal delivery. It’s a flexible, independent service designed to make life easier for local businesses that want quality bottles and reliable support.
What You Will Find Here
Walk into Portland Wine Cellars and you will find far more than the usual big brands.
Our shelves are packed with wines from around the world, alongside beers, spirits, and specialist bottles chosen for their quality, character, and value. We love helping customers discover something they might not have picked up elsewhere, whether that is a new favourite for a midweek meal, a standout bottle for a special occasion, or a case to share with friends.
If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we will always do our best to source it.
Browse Our Range:
Red Wine
White Wine
Champagne
Whisky
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Looking Ahead
The next chapter of Portland Wine Cellars is about honouring what made the shop special in the first place while making sure it continues to thrive for years to come.
That means staying true to the values that built its reputation: quality, fairness, knowledge, and service. It also means continuing to evolve, welcoming new customers, supporting local businesses, and making great wine feel approachable and enjoyable for more people.
If you have not visited us yet, we would love to welcome you into the shop.
