Retailing Awards
2026
We’re still slightly pinching ourselves. And yes, still recovering from one too many martinis.
Recently, at a glittering awards night at The Dorchester in London, we were named Independent Drinks Retailer of the Year at the 2026 Drinks Retailing Awards, one of the most respected and sought-after honours in the UK drinks industry.
For a Jersey-based, family-run business to be recognised on that stage was something truly special. This wasn’t a quick win or a box-ticking exercise. The judging process was rigorous and thorough, involving a detailed written submission, mystery shopper visits, an in-depth interview, and a full review of everything we do. That included our wines, beers and spirits, our physical shops, and our online experience.
To come out on top after that level of scrutiny means the world to us. Not just because of the award itself, but because it recognises the care, thought and passion that goes into every part of what we do.
While we’re immensely proud as a retailer, this moment feels bigger than us alone. Standing on a UK stage as a Jersey business was a reminder that great ideas, great teams and great customer experiences are not limited by geography.
Neil Pinel, Managing Director of Dunell’s, said:
“Of course, we’re incredibly proud as a retailer, but this feels bigger than just Dunell’s. To see a Jersey business recognised on a UK stage like this is a fantastic moment for the island as a whole. This award reflects what’s possible when independent retailers of all sizes focus on quality, innovation and customer experience, regardless of geography.”
Thank you, genuinely.
This award belongs to our team first and foremost. Their knowledge, warmth and commitment to making great drinks easy and enjoyable to discover is what makes Dunell’s what it is. It also belongs to our customers, who trust us with everything from milestone celebrations to midweek favourites, and to everyone who has supported us along the way.
We’re incredibly proud of where we’ve come from, and even more excited about what’s next. Here’s to great drinks, great people, and moments worth celebrating.
2020
We were absolutely thrilled to have been presented with the Drinks Retailing Independent Wine Retailer of the Year 2020 award at the Drink Retailing Awards held at The Dorchester, London on 4th February 2020. The annual ceremony is designed to reward excellence in drinks retailing across a number of sectors, including supermarkets, wine merchants, independent specialists, convenience stores, online retailers and wholesalers.
To have scooped the IWC Small Merchant of the Year 2019 trophy and then to have won another prestigious national award in 2020 is just outstanding especially considering we live on a small island and the incredible standard of independent merchants throughout the whole of the UK. We are truly honoured to have been recognised in this way and is testament to our amazing team who work so incredibly hard to offer the best possible range of wines, beers and spirits combined with first-class service and atmosphere across three shops.
Drinks Retailing wrote: "Congratulations to the Pinel family, which operates three top-notch wine shops in Jersey. They all have a common visual thread while retailing distinct personalities that suit diverse locations. They have all flourished in recent years and Dunell's fully deserves this coveted accolade."
Huge thanks to Drinks Retailing and also to Bancroft Wines who sponsored the award and gave us and the other 3 finalists in this category such a great evening!
Pictured above are presenters Joe Fattorini (The Wine Show - Left) and Martin Green (Drinks Retailing News Editor - Right) together with Jon Worsley from Bancroft Wines and Neil and Jane Pinel from Dunell's.
2019
In 2019 we won the International Wine Challenge Regional Merchant of the Year for the South and South East of England for the fourth year in a row and were absolutely delighted to win, for the first time, the overall National IWC Small Independent Merchant of the Year 2019.
The IWC Awards Dinner took place at The Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London on 9th July. Neil Pinel, Managing Director said “Described as the “Oscars of the Wine Trade”, Jane and myself were extremely excited to be nominated for both a regional award as well as the main national award. The wine trade is hugely competitive so to receive two nominations is a massive achievement in itself, but we were delighted to be awarded Regional Wine Merchant of the Year for South & South East England for the fourth year in a row. We were certainly not expecting to then go on and win the highly prestigious award of Small Independent of the Year. The competition is always tough against multiple award-winning merchants from around the UK so to say we were gobsmacked when they announced Dunell's as the winner is a massive understatement. As we were walking up to collect the award they announced... It’s been an incredibly exciting year for Dunell’s. A very impressive shop makeover and continued investment in the business. They have a great range of wines which is brilliantly merchandised. They offer a truly exciting place for consumers to buy wine.”
Neil...“I would like to honour our wonderful team for all their continued hard work and dedication, the majority of whom have worked with us for many years. 2018 was arguably the most stressful year at the Beaumont shop coping with constant noise, dirt and dust whilst keeping the shop fully operational but it has all been worth it and we couldn't be prouder of all that we have achieved.”