Vincent O’Brien is the managing director of Octavian Wine Providers. Octavian is the world’s primary tremendous wine storage supplier, residence of lots of the world’s rarest collections, and has been described because the ‘Fort Knox of wine’.
How did you get right here?
I joined Cert Octavian, because it was recognized then, in 2009 as monetary director. This was whereas the world was coming to phrases with the monetary disaster of 2008. After turning the enterprise round, I used to be supplied the chance to tackle Octavian, when the overall logistics enterprise of Cert Octavian was bought off to allow us to give attention to the tremendous wine business.
What’s the very best factor about your job?
I get pleasure from coping with an business that’s evolving so shortly, with no set parameters! Over the previous 10 years the worth of wine, and the potential of wine as an funding, has elevated quickly, with expectations rising in tandem. I additionally get pleasure from attending to know so many fascinating and knowledgeable wine lovers, and coming to understand wine myself.
And the worst?
I do really feel pissed off that storage and logistics aren’t given extra consideration by the tremendous wine commerce. Provenance and pristine packaging are key for the worth of tremendous wine and the belief available in the market. It subsequently baffles me that wine that’s so priceless can nonetheless arrive with out the right paperwork. If provenance is essential to worth, it must be prioritised within the establishing of processes and programs. I’d like to see logistics embraced by the commerce as a part of the worth chain and buying and selling confidence of tremendous wine.
What’s the most typical false impression about your job?
The notion {that a} warehouse is simply house, and that we’re all the identical. Particulars are all the pieces: optimum ambient circumstances, specialist insurance coverage, and stocktaking, for instance. We take accountability for therefore many points, and that stops lots of issues for wine consumers down the road.
Is there a particular second or achievement you recall fondly?
I’m very happy with what we achieved throughout Covid. We managed to maintain all employees engaged and protected all through. Being applauded by my employees after a crew briefing early within the pandemic was a really proud second. And we delivered into London next-day all through, which at occasions meant we had been nicely forward of bigger corporations.
There are a lot of distinctive bottles down in your vaults. Is there one you’re feeling/felt privileged to have beneath your watch?
I’m very virtually targeted about how we handle all of the wines in our care. Having stated that, we at present retailer greater than 1,000 bottles that predate classic 1900. I do take a
specific curiosity in these, and really feel the burden of that accountability. These bottles have outlived the individuals who made them – they’re a chunk of historical past.
And one you’re feeling privileged to have been in a position to drink?
I’m undoubtedly a pink wine man, however then a buyer very kindly gave me a bottle of Krug 2000. Previous to that, I hadn’t been an enormous Champagne fan, however that wine reworked me. It opened my eyes to what an ideal Champagne might be – it had such depth and layers.
What do you get pleasure from consuming at residence?
I like Brunello di Montalcino and acquired greater than I most likely ought to have throughout Covid. I’m additionally having fun with an excellent California Chardonnay for the time being, in readiness for the summer season forward. I’m nonetheless studying about wine and am lucky to have met a lot of individuals within the business who’re serving to me alongside the way in which.
