Co-Founder & Director

Claire worked her first harvest in Beaujolais aged 16, mostly for the pocket money. Eleven years later, she made history as the first French woman to pass the Master Sommelier exam. You could say she fell down the rabbit hole and never looked back.

Growing up on a farm in rural Franche-Comté, caring for the land has always been a part of who she is. In October 2002 she joined Hotel du Vin in Brighton, where she became the protégé of the late Gérard Basset OBE MS MW. Under his guidance she was named UK Sommelier of the Year in 2006, the same year she also became an MS, aged 27.

Claire wanted to be the best sommelier she could be, but always had a desire to be closer to the people making the wine, and return back to her roots. After many years in the trade, building a portfolio with like-minded producers felt like the natural next step.

For Claire, the best part of the journey has been the people. Some growers she has known for years and are now dear friends; most of them she has met on this new adventure. Their enthusiasm, and the trust they've placed in the team, is what keeps her going.

"Thank you for tasting their stories, and ours. We hope you'll feel the same connection and come to share our passion."

Co-Founder & Director

Originally from France, Nicolas began his career in Michelin-starred restaurants before moving to the UK, where he spent 14 years in leading restaurants. He was named UK Sommelier of the Year in 2007 and became a Master Sommelier in 2010.

He went on to spend five years as Beverage Manager at D&D London. He then moved into the wine merchant world, first with Fields, Morris & Verdin and later as Portfolio Director at Armit Wines.

For Nicolas, Vins-Clairs is about connecting independent producers with the restaurants, merchants and retailers who share their wines, and building relationships that last. He believes every bottle should carry a direct line back to the person who made it.

He is also Co-Founder and President of the UK Sommelier Academy, which supports and develops the next generation of sommeliers. In 2023 he received the Gérard Basset Award for his contribution to the UK sommelier community.

Sales & Operations Support

After 12 years travelling the world, Sacha came back to the UK lin 2025 and started working for Vins-Clairs.

Her career has seen several areas of the wine industry, from vineyards to cellar door management to wine tourism in New Zealand.

It was after completing her WSET Level 3 & WSG French Wine Scholar that she wanted to be closer to the Old World where her palate could have access to more grape varietals and the operational job opportunities, we have here.

Since being part of the Vins-Clairs team she has completed the Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade's Customs Procedures and Documentation course and currently advancing her expertise in EMCS, duty suspension, and bonded warehouse operations by studying for the BWA / IOE&IT Level 3 Certificate in Excise Practices & Procedures.