Above: Ida Weatherall, Sales Manager – Private Clients at Corney & Barrow Hong Kong

For the sixth instalment of our ‘Fresh pour’ series, we speak to Ida Weatherall, Sales Manager – Private Clients at Corney & Barrow Hong Kong. Ida’s career in wine has so far taken her from the vineyards of Puligny-Montrachet and the bodegas of Andalusia to the Right Bank of Bordeaux, gaining hands-on experience at some of the world’s top producers, including Domaine Leflaive, González Byass, and Établissements Jean-Pierre Moueix. Having joined Corney & Barrow’s London headquarters in 2018, she made the move to the merchant’s Hong Kong office in 2024, where she was recently promoted to her current role.

Ida shares her thoughts on responsible viticulture, how to win over cautious young collectors, and why authenticity and affordability matter more than trendy labels.

Wine Lister: What was the bottle that got you into wine?

Ida Weatherall: Domaine Leflaive Bienvenues-Bâtard-Montrachet Grand Cru 1995. Not a normal gateway wine, but I had the pleasure of working a harvest there and a sip from this magical bottle was a post-harvest treat.

WL: What is one misconception people have about the fine wine industry?

IW: That the best bottles are the most expensive.

WL: A producer that you admire and why?

IW: Peter Sisseck in one of my favourite winemaking regions – Jerez. They've created wonderful and distinct wines across his three estates: Dominio de Pingus, Château Rocheyron, and Viña Corrales. His commitment to organic farming and soil regeneration is evident in his wines. Year on year they show quality improvement and increased complexity.

WL: The fine wine trends you are most and least excited about?

IW: Most excited: regenerative viticulture, producers taking action to counter the environmental impact, promoting biodiversity, and future-proofing their estates in an environmentally friendly manner. Least excited: fortunately, the ‘natty’ wine movement of funkily-labelled bottles filled with grape juice smelling like cider or manure has somewhat bypassed Hong Kong – long may that last.

WL: Your favourite wine list in Hong Kong?

IW: I often bring a bottle with me, so usually hunt out restaurants that offer good corkage and great glasses. Two of my favourite restaurants in Hong Kong for great Cantonese cuisine that pairs really well with a range of wines are Pang’s Kitchen in Happy Valley and Moon Bay in Wan Chai.

WL: What do you think young people can bring to the industry?

IW: Fresh perspectives, enthusiasm, and energy.

WL: Have you noticed any purchasing habits or stylistic preferences among the younger consumer group (ages 21-35)?

IW: My younger customers are more cautious and prefer to have tried a wine before buying it. Where possible there is a preference to buy smaller case sizes or individual bottles.

WL: How can fine wine producers appeal to the younger generation?

IW: Reasonable release prices…

WL: The theme song to your career so far?

IW: That’s a hard one! My most listened-to albums are Cowboy Carter by Beyoncé and Troubador by J.J. Cale – so I guess something from that eclectic mix?

WL: If you weren't working in wine, what would you be doing?

IW: Living on the beach or in the jungle in Latin America.