Mark Hallett

managing director

Grape Escapes

How long in travel?

I founded Grape Escapes with my wife in 2004. Before that I was in finance for Ford.

How big is your company?

We do a few thousand bookings a year, and we have a team of eight in the office.

Do you sell through the trade?

Yes we do. It’s not a huge volume, but we do have a few upmarket agents who come back to us time and again because of our expertise.

Where’s good for an introduction to wine?

France’s Champagne region. It’s easy to get to – take the car and fill the boot, or take the Eurostar to Paris and connect.

Name an emerging wine destination?

Prosecco [to the north of Venice]. It’s getting lots of attention and we’re looking to add it, but we want to know it inside out before we do.

What’s your preferred tipple?

We always have champagne before dinner, then red or white with dinner.