The private wine sales team are continually working with their clients to develop and manage their wine collections. With an incredible passion for wine and an extensive knowledge of the Armit Wines portfolio and wider fine wine market, they are experts when it comes to knowing what to drink now and what to save for future enjoyment. The best way to demonstrate this is at one of our frequent dinners and tastings held throughout the year. They range from more formal dinners with winemakers to more informal Paulée style affairs.
Above all, we value personal relationships, and it is most important to us that you enjoy your experience of buying fine wine from Armit Wines.
Private Wine Sales Team
Peter Valiunas
Head of Private Clients
Email: pvaliunas@armitwines.co.uk
Peter has been with Armit since 2014 and transitioned into the world of fine wine after a career in the City. He has had a fondness for all things vinous from an early age, with a predilection for the Old World and Burgundy in particular. He was lucky enough to explore many of Burgundy’s cellars while living in Geneva in the early ‘90s and is agnostic on geography and grape variety when it comes to tasting - as long as a wine is well made and interesting!
In his spare time Peter loves to read and appreciate his wife’s fine cuisine - perhaps a bit too much!
Malcolm Willatts
Private Client Account Manager
Email: mwillatts@armitwines.co.uk
As a means of making ends meet (i.e. funding student drinking) at university, Malcolm found his way to the local Oddbins to stack shelves. Working with talented and enthusiastic managers rubbed off and a variety of full-time wine related jobs followed as his studies came to an end. He began learning the ropes in private client sales with a London merchant for 3 years before joining Armit Wines in April 2015.
When not selling wine he enjoys eating, rugby and more wine, not always in that order. His wines of choice are eclectic but often Burgundian, German and increasingly Italian in origin.
Daniele Valoti
Private Client Account Manager
Email: dvaloti@armitwines.co.uk
William Russell
Private Client Account Manager
Email: wrussell@armitwines.co.uk
Following a Master’s degree in Shakespeare at University College London, William started his career with rare books and manuscripts. Whilst working in Hamburg, he discovered the fine wines of Germany, which led to Piedmont, Tuscany and Champagne. With his new-found passion, William joined the wine department at Christie’s, first as an intern and then as a business intelligence analyst. William joins Armit Wines following a year’s sojourn back in Germany, selling fine wines in Berlin. Currently studying for his WSET Diploma, William also holds a full motorcycle license and enjoys spending as much time as possible in the north of Scotland.
Jess Fernandez
Broking Manager
Email: jfernandez@armitwines.co.uk
Jess fell into her first wine job back in Chicago, and quickly dove headfirst into all things wine. After following her fiancé across the pond following a work transfer, Jess was delighted to be introduced to the wonderful team at Armit. She started at Armit in February 2017 and continues her wine education by tasting, reading, listening – and more tasting! She loves a good Rhone and you can usually find an open bottle of Port in her house. In her spare time, Jess can be found trying to acclimatise to her new homeland by binging on British cooking shows and perfecting her cuppa skills.
Contact any of our private client sales team today for your own primary contact when buying fine wine. Keen to explore our portfolio? Browse our carefully curated selection of fine wines online today.