Please tell us a little about your journey in the wine industry. How did it start and when?

It all began when I was a customer on the other side of the bar at 40 Maltby Street.

You launched the Oranj app during the pandemic. How was this received by the public?

I launched the Oranj app as a digital bottle shop and it has been exceptionally well received, possibly because it stands as the sole natural wine app on the market. We also offer a unique and incredibly popular natural wine subscription service that reflects our bar’s constantly evolving wine list. You just let us know which colour wines, how many bottles and how often you want your deliveries, and we curate the selection accordingly. Every subscription box has a guaranteed lower price than if the bottles were purchased individually from our bottle shop.

How would you say the Oranj community has grown/changed since then?

Since establishing a physical space that hosts a rotation of insanely talented chefs, we’ve been able to attract the “foodies”, welcoming those who weren’t already into the world of natural wine.

How would you describe the Oranj wine bar to someone who has never visited it?

It’s like going out raving, just with food and drink (and obviously, great tunes).

Your interest in design is evident through the website’s visual identity as well as the bar interiors. Could you tell us more about it?

I see style and substance as equals, this means everything has to work really well, but also look sexy.

Behind great wines, there are always great people and inspiring stories. Are there any you would like to share with us?

Natural winemakers are mostly struggling farmers. What they have to endure to put that wine on your table without intervening with chemicals is nothing short of incredible.

Why did you decide to focus only on natural wines?

Because they’re delicious, better for people and better for soil health.

How would you advise someone who knows very little about wine and wants to approach the world of collecting?

Buy some Frédéric Cossard and bury it in your back garden.

The bar welcomes chefs for short and long-term residencies – how do you assess whether they are a good match for Oranj?

For chefs close to home, I’ll get them in to try their food. When we bring in chefs from places like New York or Mexico City, they typically come through recommendations or introductions from someone whose culinary palate I hold in high regard.

What’s the most daring food and wine pairing you’ve ever tried?

I have been known to drink Lambrusco with a BLT.

The Oranj bar is currently hosting Love Potion NV as part of its artist-in-residence programme. The exhibition, by London-based artist Frida Wannerberger, explores the idea of femininity and the social constructs built around it through a series of pencil and collage works. On show until 28 October 2023 at Oranj, 14 Bacon Street, London E1 6LF; oranj.co.uk