Miss T’s Kitchen chef/patron Anna-Kay Tomlinson has made a name for herself both locally and internationally with her culinary oasis in the heart of Ocho Rios. She is about to add an exciting new wine destination called “Di Wine Yaad” to the market.

Christopher Reckord (CR): What inspired the creation of Di Wine Yaad?

Anna-Kay Tomlinson (Miss T): There were several things. I simply love wine, but I always had to travel to Kingston to find a wine bar with a nice selection, vibe and setting. So I decided to bring it to my backyard.

CR: When will Di Wine Yaad be officially open to the public?

Miss T: December 9. Opening hours will be 12 noon -10:00 pm.

CR: On the north coast others have experimented with wine as the primary beverage offering with mixed results. How will Di Wine Yaad be different?

Miss T: In the same way that Miss T’ s Kitchen is notably different from all other eateries, Di Wine Yaad, too, will share the look, feel and ambiance of the whole restaurant. However, the design of the building which mimics a Jamaican chattel house with cut-stone features, fretwork on the eaves and a verandah with comfortable rocking chairs will evoke feelings reminiscent of “old time Jamaica”.

A special effort has been made to source wines from all regions of the world offering many varietals at all price points ranging from the inexpensive to the exclusive. We will also be providing a selection of premium beers from around the world. In the style of Spanish tapas bars, we will be serving small plates of exciting new fare.

CR: Are you a long-time wine drinker ?

Miss T: I used to be a white rum and Stone’s Ginger Wine drinker, but in the last five years I have developed a passion for good wine.

CR: Some people are casual wine drinkers until they have an ‘aha’ moment, when they taste something magical and catch the wine bug. Did you have such a moment?

Miss T: Oh yes! During a visit to France in 2013, while a guest at Château Fontesteau in Médoc. We were given free rein of the wine cellar. It was while sitting around the fireplace with friends on a lovely autumn evening that I sipped a glass of the most amazing wine: Variation De Fontesteau. Aha!

CR: What is your style of wine?

Miss T: Pinot noir, but lately I find myself favouring blends: Cabernets and a nice Syrah. Guess I just really love wines, and I am definitely more of a red wine drinker!

CR: Any lessons learnt from Miss T’s Kitchen that will guide Di Wine Yaad?

Miss T: Customer satisfaction must always be your primary aim, and this we will continue to achieve by offering amazing food in a comfortable space. Service is key and, as I always tell my team, we must give every single customer that WOW experience every single time.

CR: What are your thoughts on the local wine scene?

Miss T: The import structure and bureaucracy associated with the importation of wines to Jamaica limit and constrict the industry. If I could I would change this to open up the industry and expose our palates to some more amazing wines from around the world.

CR: Who will you turn to for your wine supply?

Miss T: Select Brands has been very good to me from very early on and their portfolio is diverse and Arosa is just around the corner, so both, I reckon.

Christopher Reckord – Information Technology Entrepreneur & Wine Enthusiast. Send your questions and comments to creckord@gmail.com. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram @chrisreckord and on Twitter: @Reckord