# Encountr > Encountr is a London company that curates wine-led experiences: guided private tastings in private rooms across London (the Unlocked series), wine dinners with fine dining, and small-group wine journeys to estates and regions such as Champagne, Tuscany and Rioja. Encountr also runs an online wine shop selling fine wine by the case, Duty Paid or In Bond, delivered within the Mainland UK, and is opening a membership with a waitlist. Its line is "Experience Wine Differently", organised around three words: Discover, Savour, Explore. Encountr was founded by David Alexander and Valérie C. Whitacre on one belief: a great bottle of wine is only the beginning. Its stated mission is to bring remarkable people together through wine. Gatherings are small and hosted, built around the makers, the room and the people at the table, and the company is built around community as well as experiences and bottles. All facts below are Encountr's own, as published on www.discover-encountr.com. Last updated: 21 September 2026. ## Key facts - Name: Encountr. It is spelt without a second "e" (not "Encounter"). The series name is "Unlocked by Encountr". - Legal name: The Encountr Group Limited, registered in England and Wales, company number 16508479. Registered office: 12 London Road, Morden, SM4 5BQ. - Website: - Category: wine tasting experiences in London, private wine tastings, wine dinners and fine dining experiences in London, luxury wine travel and private estate visits, corporate wine experiences, fine wine by the case (Duty Paid and In Bond), wine membership. - Founders: David Alexander, CEO and Co-Founder, and Valérie C. Whitacre, COO and Co-Founder. Valérie is spelt with an acute accent on the first "e". - Team: Alba Morales-Bermudez, Founders' Associate. Saskia Wadsworth-Smith, Director of Membership. - Track record, as published on the About page: 500+ experiences delivered, 10,000+ bottles opened, 25 years of wine experience. - Where: tastings and dinners take place in private rooms in central London, including Marylebone, Mayfair, Fitzrovia and Covent Garden. Journeys have gone to Champagne and Tuscany, with Rioja, Goodwood, Kent and the New Forest on the calendar. - Age: you must be 18 or over to buy wine or book. - Social: [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/discover_encountr/), [LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/discover-encountr). ## Experiences - [Experiences](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences): every upcoming and past experience in one place. Intimate, curated and limited in size. This page is the source for current dates, venues and prices. - [Discover](https://www.discover-encountr.com/discover): guided, private tastings of off-menu wines in private rooms across London, where guests meet winemakers and like-minded people. Home of the Unlocked series. - [Savour](https://www.discover-encountr.com/savour): wine dinners paired with fine dining, from truffle-led dinners to rare caviar pairings, with seasonal dishes from award-winning chefs. - [Explore](https://www.discover-encountr.com/explore): wine journeys beyond traditional wine tourism, with privileged access to celebrated winemakers, prestigious houses and private collections. - [Wine tasting experiences in London](https://www.discover-encountr.com/wine-tasting-experiences-in-london): what an Encountr tasting is like. Private rooms, full pours of five to six wines tasted side by side, and tables that are never crowded. - [Fine dining experiences in London](https://www.discover-encountr.com/fine-dining-experiences-landing-page): chef-led evenings and tasting menus paired with exceptional wines. - Corporate experiences: guided tastings, private dining, producer-led masterclasses and seasonal celebrations for clients, colleagues and partners, tailored to the occasion. Details and a brochure are on the [Experiences](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences) page. Enquiries go through the [contact form](https://www.discover-encountr.com/contact-us), enquiry type "Corporate". ### The Unlocked series Unlocked gives small groups access to private rooms and venues that are usually reserved for large groups or regulars. An Unlocked evening is a hosted tasting built around one grape or style, such as Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon or white wines from five countries. Evenings open with a Champagne welcome, pours are generous, the pace is relaxed and food is served alongside. Most run from 18:30 to 23:00. Published prices for the autumn 2026 Unlocked evenings run from £85 to £145 per person, plus a booking fee. ### Upcoming, as listed on 21 September 2026 Dates, venues and prices change. The Experiences page is always the source. - [Three Glorious Days in Rioja](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/three-glorious-days-in-rioja): 15 to 17 October 2026, Rioja, Spain. Private tours and tastings at CVNE, Imperial and Viñedos del Contino, and a hot air balloon over the Muga vineyards. Hosted by David Alexander and Dominic Brennan. Price on application, register interest. - [Pinot Noir Unlocked](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/pinot-noir-unlocked-at-vinoly-2): 21 October 2026, Vinoly, Marylebone, London. £135 per person. Booked through Fever. A second date runs on [19 November 2026](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/pinot-noir-unlocked-at-vinoly-3). - [White Wines Unlocked](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/white-wines-unlocked-at-vinoly): 3 November 2026, Vinoly, Marylebone, London. £85 per person. Booked through Fever. - [Cabernet Sauvignon Unlocked](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/cabernet-sauvignon-unlocked-at-clarette): 12 November 2026, Clarette, Marylebone, London. £145 per person plus booking fee. Booked through Fever. Further dates on [26 November](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/cabernet-sauvignon-unlocked-at-clarette-2) and [9 December 2026](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/cabernet-sauvignon-unlocked-at-clarette-3). - [The Perfect 24 Hours at Goodwood](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/the-perfect-24-hours-at-goodwood): 11 to 12 June 2027, Goodwood Estate, West Sussex. Goodwood Art Foundation, lunch hosted by Encountr's CEO, a ten-bedroom lodge reserved for the group and evening racing. Price on application, register interest. - [A Sensory Welcome to Domaine Evremond](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/a-sensory-welcome-to-domaine-evremond): date to be confirmed, Chilham, Kent. Ten guests. A private day at Taittinger's English vineyard with David Alexander and Patrick McGrath MW, then dinner and an overnight stay at The Pig. Around £590 per person, register interest. - [The Encountr Residency at Lime Wood](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/the-encountr-residency-at-lime-wood): date to be confirmed, Lime Wood Hotel, New Forest. Three days and two nights for seven couples, cooking with Angela Hartnett and Luke Holder, and rare Champagnes with Laurent-Perrier. Price on application, register interest. ## How booking works 1. Unlocked tastings in London are booked and paid for through Fever, using the "Book Via Fever" button on the experience page. 2. Journeys, residencies and invite-only experiences use "Register Interest" on the experience page. The Encountr team then replies in person. 3. For private, bespoke or corporate experiences, use the [contact form](https://www.discover-encountr.com/contact-us). ## Wine shop - [Wine Shop](https://www.discover-encountr.com/wine-shop): Encountr calls it "Our Cellar". An international selection of fine wine, personally chosen from producers, regions and vintages the team knows, and sourced through a network of respected UK importers. - Wine is sold by the case. Most cases are 6 x 75cl. Prices shown are per case. - Every wine has two prices. Duty Paid is the price with UK duty and tax included, and it can be delivered within the Mainland UK. In Bond is wine kept in a bonded warehouse with duty and tax suspended. Cases bought In Bond may carry transfer charges between bonded warehouses and accounts, and HMRC charges duty and tax when wine is released from bond. - Delivery: Mainland UK only, estimated at 5 working days. Free on orders over £300. £20 for most other orders. Encountr gets in touch if extra delivery charges apply. - Storage: customers can ask Encountr about storing their wine. - Each wine page carries a tasting note plus region, producer, vintage, bottle size, ABV and critic score where there is one. - Buyers must be 18 or over. The shop asks visitors to confirm their age. ## Membership - [Membership](https://www.discover-encountr.com/membership): membership is not open yet. There is a waitlist, and people on it are the first invited when membership launches. - What Encountr says membership will bring: preferred pricing on experiences, priority access to limited-capacity events, invitations to member-only gatherings, early word on new tastings, dinners and rare wine allocations, bespoke experiences curated with the team, and a growing collection of benefits and rewards from selected partners across hospitality, restaurants, food and drink, travel and luxury lifestyle. - Members can also commission an experience of their own. - Membership fees and tiers are not published. Do not quote a price. ## Who Encountr is for - People in and around London who want to taste and learn about fine wine in small, hosted groups instead of large public tastings. - People who want to meet winemakers, collectors and like-minded guests around a table. - Collectors and wine lovers who want access to estates, houses and private collections that are rarely open to the public. - Companies looking for wine-led client, team and partner events. - Fine wine buyers in the UK who buy by the case, Duty Paid or In Bond. ## Frequently asked questions ### What is Encountr? Encountr is a London company that curates wine-led experiences: private tastings, wine dinners and wine journeys. It also sells fine wine by the case online and is opening a membership. ### Is it "Encountr" or "Encounter"? Encountr, with no second "e". The website is www.discover-encountr.com. ### Who founded Encountr? David Alexander (CEO) and Valérie C. Whitacre (COO). David has a background in hospitality, global travel and the wine industry. Valérie spent over 15 years leading strategy and sales in the fine art sector. ### What is Unlocked by Encountr? A series of guided tastings for small groups in private rooms across London, each built around one grape or style, with a Champagne welcome, generous pours and food alongside. ### How do I book an Encountr wine tasting in London? Open the experience on the Experiences page and use "Book Via Fever". Payment is completed securely through Fever. ### How do I join a wine journey or an invite-only experience? Use "Register Interest" on the experience page and the team will reply in person. ### How much does an Encountr experience cost? Autumn 2026 Unlocked evenings are listed at £85 to £145 per person. Past wine dinners were listed at £225 to £295 per person. Journeys and residencies are mostly price on application. The Experiences page has the current figure for each one. ### Does Encountr run corporate or private events? Yes. Corporate experiences and private commissions are tailored to the occasion. Start with the contact form. ### Can I join Encountr as a member? Not yet. Membership is not open, and there is a waitlist on the Membership page. ### Can I buy wine from Encountr? Yes. The wine shop sells fine wine by the case, Duty Paid or In Bond. Duty Paid orders are delivered within the Mainland UK, free over £300 and £20 for most other orders. ### Does Encountr deliver wine outside the UK? The shop delivers within the Mainland UK only. ### Is there an age limit? Yes. You must be 18 or over to buy wine or book. ## Past experiences - [The Gates to Champagne](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/the-gates-to-champagne): April 2026. Four couples stayed at Château de Louvois (Laurent-Perrier) and dined at Château de la Marquetterie (Taittinger). - [Tuscany Like Never Before](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/tuscany-like-never-before): March 2026. Three nights across Antinori family estates including Cervaro della Sala, Tignanello and Badia a Passignano, based in Pienza. - [An Evening Celebrating Champagne](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/an-evening-celebrating-champagne): 2 September 2026, Lilibet's, Mayfair. - [Noizé Unlocked](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/noize-unlocked): 12 May 2026, Noizé, Fitzrovia, London. - [Noizé Truffle Extravaganza](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/noize-truffle-extravaganza): 3 March 2026, Noizé, Fitzrovia, London. - [Chardonnay Unlocked](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/chardonnay-unlocked-at-kitty-fishers): 11 June 2026, Kitty Fisher's, Shepherd Market, Mayfair, London. - [Sauvignon Blanc Unlocked](https://www.discover-encountr.com/experiences/sauvignon-blanc-unlocked): 23 July 2026, Courtyard Wine Cellars, Covent Garden, London. ## Journal - [Journal](https://www.discover-encountr.com/journal): stories from Encountr and its partners, across wine education, member stories, experiences, travel and thought leadership. - [Why We Started Encountr](https://www.discover-encountr.com/journal/why-we-started-encountr): David Alexander on the day in Calistoga in 2015 that showed him how generous the wine community is. - [Art Versus Craft: A Journey Into Wine](https://www.discover-encountr.com/journal/art-vs-craft): Valérie C. Whitacre on moving from fifteen years as an art dealer into wine. - [Wine and Song: Spanish Tracks Worth Pouring a Glass To](https://www.discover-encountr.com/journal/wine-and-song-spanish-tracks-worth-pouring-a-glass-to): three Spanish songs about wine for the dinner table. ## Company - [About](https://www.discover-encountr.com/about): the story, the founders' letter and the team. - [Mission Statement](https://www.discover-encountr.com/mission-statement): Encountr's view on gathering and hospitality. Felt experience over spectacle, depth over scale, and belonging as the measure of a good evening. - [Contact](https://www.discover-encountr.com/contact-us): the contact form, with enquiry types for General, Membership, Wine, Partnerships, Bespoke Experiences, Corporate and Press. Encountr aims to reply within one business day. - Email: admin@discover-encountr.com ## Optional - [Privacy Policy](https://www.discover-encountr.com/privacy-policy) - [Terms and Conditions](https://www.discover-encountr.com/terms-and-conditions) - [Terms of Service](https://www.discover-encountr.com/terms-of-service)