june musings
Musings from our team to yours. Nathan, our creative director, shares his thoughts for June. Read more below.
What I’m Drinking
I had the truly wonderful experience of drinking a bottle of Motty recently, a Garnacha and Merlot blend by Lucy Chilvers, who is making wine in Penedes, Catalunya. It’s zingy, juicy and packed full of mouthwatering acidity and red berries. I was lucky to taste these wines with Lucy at a trade event, and her personality is as vibrant as the wine. She’s a vigneron who deeply cares about her craft.
Though based in Spain, Lucy is a British winemaker whose journey into the world of wine began in the restaurant scenes of London and Brighton. Her passion for natural wines led her to take a leap of faith, enrolling in the viticulture and oenology program at Plumpton College. She honed her skills and deepened her understanding of winemaking before working with Sasa and Ivana Radikon in Friuli, Italy - a formative period that significantly influenced her approach to winemaking.
Being based in the El Penedès region of Catalunya, Lucy organically farms 4.5 hectares of vineyards, focusing on indigenous varieties like Xarel·lo, Sumoll, Macabeo, and Muscat d’Alexandria. When I asked her why Catalunya, she simply said, “I love Xarel-lo.” Me too, Lucy.
Book a table here, to give it a try.
What I’m Listening To
Ezra Collective are honestly one of the most exciting bands I’ve come across in recent years. Their music feels alive, like a perfect storm of jazz, afrobeat, hip-hop, and pure energy. Every track has this infectious groove that makes it impossible not to move, but what really stands out is how effortlessly they blend technical brilliance with warmth and joy. Seeing them live is even better—it’s like being part of a celebration. I was privileged to see them in South London recently, and in a time of such global hardship and divide, their positivity and love brought together such a diverse audience. They’ve made jazz feel fresh and relevant again, especially for a younger audience, and they do it all while staying true to their roots and message. They're not just talented—they’re powerful, and they genuinely make music that matters. We’ve had them in the Saorsa playlists since their debut record, so the recognition they’re achieving is genuinely heartwarming.
Listen to it on our weekly playlist here.
What I’m Reading
Right now, I am deep into the heart of Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain. It’s funny that I spend my whole life working in hospitality and choose to unwind by reading a book about… Hospitality. However, Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain is one of those books that hits you in the gut—in the best way. I’m so in love with the energy of restaurants and kitchens. Truly, my paycheck goes right into the hands of other hospitality businesses. There was no one more passionate about the industry than Bourdain. Reading Kitchen Confidential feels like being pulled into the loud, chaotic, sweaty heart of a professional kitchen, where the line between art and madness blurs. Bourdain’s voice is raw, sharp, and full of the kind of brutal honesty that makes you both wince and laugh out loud. What makes it unforgettable, though, is the deep undercurrent of love—for food, for the misfits who make it, and for the wild, unglamorous world behind the pass. It’s more than just a memoir; it’s a manifesto for anyone who’s ever felt like an outsider, but found purpose and pride in doing hard, uncelebrated work really well.
You could always try our second-hand independent sellers right here in Pitclochry, Pitlochry Station Bookshop to see if they have it or try one of Edinburgh's favourites such as Toppings.
