Hanwell Wine Bar Opened by Italian Food Network
Venue aims to give small producers access to the UK market
Stefania D'Orsi cutting the ribbon at the Double Grand Opening
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May 19, 2026
A new wine bar and retail concept has opened in Hanwell as part of a wider plan to bring rare Italian artisan food and wine products into London’s hospitality sector through a network of small, curated “pantries” hosted inside restaurants and bars.
The launch event on Saturday (16 May) marked the opening of 23 Hanwell Coffee & Wine Bar on Church Road alongside the latest outpost of The Italian Pantry, a distribution project designed to give small Italian producers access to the UK market. Despite heavy rain, the venue drew a large crowd of local residents and supporters.
The wine bar, run by Celestino Greco and Emilio D’Orsi, incorporates shelves of Italian wines, pasta, olive oils and truffle products supplied by The Italian Pantry. The model is intended to allow customers to browse and buy while visiting the venue, blending retail with hospitality.
According to the project’s founders, The Italian Pantry aims to address long-standing barriers faced by small Italian food and wine producers attempting to enter the UK market. The organisation says that it works exclusively with small Italian artisan producers — family-run wineries, small-batch food makers and specialist growers” whose products are typically unavailable in London.
The owners of the new venure explain the concept
The company manages importation, logistics and distribution on behalf of producers, offering what it describes as a lower-cost, lower-risk alternative to traditional export routes. Products are then placed in partner venues across the city, where they are used by chefs or recommended by sommeliers.
The Hanwell site is the fifth Pantry location in London. The company says it intends to expand to 50 venues, creating what it describes as one of the largest networks of its kind in the UK.
For restaurants and bars hosting a Pantry, the model operates on a consignment basis, meaning stock is supplied without upfront purchasing costs. It is argued that this allows venues to offer premium Italian ingredients while reducing financial risk. Chefs can also incorporate the products into their menus, potentially increasing visibility for producers.
The opening event included a presentation by Giovanni D’Orsi, President of the newly formed Ealing Wine Club, who outlined plans to develop a stronger wine culture in West London through tastings and educational events.
Crowd of guests at the Double Grand Opening
The Italian Pantry’s leadership — CEO Gianni Ferrari and CSO Valeriano Drago — said the project is intended to create value for producers, venues and consumers, describing the 50-location target as a “roadmap” rather than an aspiration.
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