Stefan and Emma are the owners and operators of High Peak Wine & Beer Company in Castleton, and the soon to open Hope Valley Tap & Bottle in Hope. With a background rooted firmly in independent drinks retail, their approach is built on experience, relationships, and a genuine love of well-made wine, beer, and whisky.
High Peak Wine & Beer Co was founded in 2016, originally as a mobile bar business launched just two days after the birth of their first child. From the outset, the aim was clear: to create a business with full creative freedom, direct relationships with local suppliers, and a focus on quality rather than trend. That ambition led to the opening of the company’s first retail shop in Chapel-en-le-Frith in October 2020, with a strong emphasis on local producers, independent importers, and a carefully curated range, particularly whisky. In April 2023, the business moved to Castleton, placing High Peak Wine & Beer Co firmly at the heart of the Peak District community.
As the business has evolved, so too have Stefan’s personal interests, with an increasing focus on whisky. This has shaped the direction of the Castleton shop, which now stocks an extensive specialist whisky range. Much of the selection is made up of limited-edition bottlings and small-batch releases, many of which are unavailable to the mass market, reflecting a continued commitment to quality, character, and independent producers.
Hope Valley Tap & Bottle intends to follow the same formula over two floors with retail at ground level and seating to drink in on the first floor. Draught take away will also be available to service the local campsites with growler refills to compliment the already extensive retail options.
4 keg lines are planned to begin with to feature local High Peak and Hope Valley breweries such as Torrside, Intrepid, Buxton and many other smaller breweries not seen in the larger pubs of the Peak District. There is further scope for cask and more extensive drink in features as the business develops and responds to customer demand from the local population and visitor economy. Wines will be available by the glass as will many local spirits and whiskies. Corkage by the bottle will also be an option on select beers and wines from the retail range, giving us arguably the most interesting wine and beer list in the Peak District.
It is anticipated the Tap & Bottle venue will open in Hope in July.
