Jess & Ed of Onshore Cellars: From Life at Sea to Fine-Wine Legacies
Some couples meet at university, others meet in bars.
But Jess and Ed? They met on a yacht bound for paradise.
What started as a shared passion for the sea (and a knack for good wine) turned into Onshore Cellars, one of the most trusted names in fine wine and spirits for the superyacht world.
“We were ordering wine for guests and for ourselves,” laughs Ed, recalling their early days working as yacht crew. “We looked around and thought — we can do this better.”
Ten years and many tannins later, the duo have proven exactly that.
A Business Born from the Bow
After nearly a decade working onboard luxury yachts, Jess and Ed saw an opportunity that felt almost inevitable.
As ex-crew, they knew all too well the pressure behind last-minute provisioning requests, demanding guests, and global logistics that never stop sailing on.
“It was a natural transition,” says Jess. “We knew the yachting world, and we knew what crew needed: reliable service, quality wine, and someone who just gets it.”
And so, from modest beginnings as a small supplier focused on superyachts, they’ve grown into a multi-channel business serving villas, private clients, events, and even ski chalets across Europe.
Onshore Cellars now ships everywhere from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean, always with the same care, speed, and precision that the yachting industry is so lauded for.
The Secret Ingredient? It Begins with a ‘T’
Asking Jess and Ed what sets them apart, they don’t hesitate: their people.
“It’s our team,” they both say almost in unison, often near-completing each other’s sentences; a clear symbol of long love and a life spent working together.
“We’ve been where our clients are. We understand what it’s like to be on board, dealing with those last-minute changes,” says Jess.
Ed adds, “We’ve built systems, tech, and logistics that make us more efficient, but the real difference is service. We’re here to make the chief stew’s life easier, to make the charter broker look good, to deliver what you need exactly when you need it.”
When Curation Combines with Constant Evolution
Their wine list is the furthest thing away from static.
It’s alive and dynamically so, evolving month to month, year to year.
Onshore Cellars also procures and retails more than the finest of wines, with an amazing smorgasbord of mid to premium range spirits available, too.
With guidance from their general manager, Peter, a London wine-trade veteran, Onshore’s selection is both classic and creative: from cheap and cheerful crowd-pleasers to rare Burgundy and Super Tuscan gems. They also cater to passing crazes, from Japanese whiskey to premium tequila, as they come and go.
Ed explains, “We carry the staples everyone expects, but we also hunt for limited-production wines that aren’t on every other supplier’s list. Because of our online platform, we can offer those rare finds, even in small quantities.”
It’s this smooth blend of practicality and passion that keeps their clients raising their glasses and coming back for more.
Resilience in a Glass
When COVID hit, the world stopped… but wine didn’t.
“Covid was hard,” Jess admits, “Orders were canceled overnight, but we kept our staff on. It made us realize we had to diversify.”
That moment of crisis became a catalyst for expansion. They expanded their online shop, opened new distribution routes, and built partnerships beyond yachting, from weddings to private events and luxury retreats.
Ed reflects, “It forced us to push ahead. We were already building the systems, but that was the push to finish it. Now we’re far more insulated and we can serve anyone, anywhere.”
Taste, Trust, and Temperature Control
The dance of every delivery is a logistical ballet: from climate-controlled transport to insulated packaging that keeps fine wine and spirits stable across Europe’s (and other regions') varying climates.
“We’ve got vans driving all the way to Croatia, Greece, Gibraltar,” Ed says. “But ultimately, we’re not just selling wine, we’re selling trust. We make sure what you order arrives when and how you need it, because that’s our reputation on the line.”
That reliability has made Onshore Cellars the renowned go-to for countless successful charters, events, and onboard experiences.
And if you really want to know the inner workings of how they stay absolutely certain they’re providing only the finest of merchandise:
“Well, we taste every wine we deliver!” says Ed as he and Jess share a cheeky laugh.
Advice for the Next Generation of Yachties
Having built their empire from deck to desk and back again, Jess and Ed are generous with their advice to others making the transition.
“Keep your contact book,” Jess says firmly. “Relationships are everything. Be kind, stay connected, and you’ll be amazed at how those people come back into your life later.”
Ed agrees: “Don’t forget the value of the network you’re building while you’re still on board. You’ll work with those same brokers, those same crew, again; it’s best to build those bridges before you leave.”
Looking Ahead
Ten years and counting, Onshore Cellars is thriving, and the next decade looks (and tastes) even bolder.
Jess envisions expanding further into weddings, private events, and direct relationships with ultra–high-net-worth (UHNWs) clients. Ed jokes he just hopes they’re “ten years older… and maybe with the kids finally out of the house.”
Whatever the future holds, their partnership, both personal and professional, remains their foundation. “We met working side by side,” Jess says. “We’ve always done it together. It’s not easy, but it works.”
And as the yachting world continues to evolve, one thing is certain: wherever there’s a celebration at sea, Onshore Cellars will be there — never whining, always in the highest of spirits, and with a bottle ready to pour.
Raise a Glass with Onshore Cellars
From Côte d’Azur sunsets to alpine soirées, Jess and Ed’s mission is simple: to make every pour unforgettable.
Explore their curated collection, discover their story, and see why the world’s finest crews and connoisseurs trust Onshore Cellars to deliver excellence in every bottle.
Discover more at: www.onshorecellars.com