Wayward Wines

Wayward Wines is a natural wine shop and bar in Chapel Allerton. Selling natural wines since before it was cool (well, 2017), this tiny suburban wine house is so much more than just a bar. The team here also hosts guest chef dinners, special events with its winemakers and importers, has its own wine club, and has even been known to run regular Sunday session parties with partner venues around Leeds. 

Open every Thursday evening from 5pm, and all day on Fridays and Saturdays, if you’re looking to source some special bottles from the very best natural wine producers going then Wayward Wines needs to be on your list. The perfect place to pop in, shop, and then stay for a few glasses (and maybe nibble on some cheese and charcuterie while you’re at it), whether you’re hunting for a rare cuvée or an everyday, sessionable table wine under £20, you can trust that the bottle selection here is always varied and accessible.

If you’re planning to hang about for a bit, it’s worth checking out the bar’s events in advance to see what’s going on. Wayward Wines regularly collaborates with other venues and producers to help bring their products to life, be it with vinyl-only DJ sets and wine in warehouse nightclubs, or meticulous supper clubs with award-winning eateries like Horsforth restaurant Bavette. The bar recently celebrated the announcement it was importing the iconic wines of Loire legend Olivier Cousin with a special dinner, which was cooked by his son Clement and husband Sandy of the Bib Gourmand restaurant Bavette alongside Sam Buckley of green Michelin starred Manchester restaurant Where The Light Gets In.  

Other fun events regularly hosted by Wayward Wines include wine tastings, pairing evenings, and seasonal warehouse sessions that welcome in their new shipments and give wine lovers the chance to sample all of the new arrivals alongside snacks from local chefs and a quality soundtrack provided by regular Leeds-based DJs. 

Founded by Steve Nuttall, widely considered vanguards of good wine in the north, alongside his former The Reliance colleagues Becs Winlow and Joss Ainsworth, Wayward Wines might be tiny in size but its influence in the industry is significant. Not only does it import its own wine, but the team also works directly with growers to ship and distribute its own range. A must for natural wine lovers in Leeds, whether you’re stopping for a drink or picking something up for later, make sure to put it on your list.