The Cellar Door…a potted history

PurchasesYou could say the genealogy of the Cellar Door at The Dining Room can be traced back to 1780, but that may be a little tenuous. However, when the Dining Room at Purchase’s restaurant was formed back in the heady days of 2001, the owners of the property (the Purchase family), invited me to share the building and open a restaurant within the hallowed portals of what until 2007 was the oldest independent wine merchant in the country.

It has been with this strong link and being of old Chichester stock myself, that it seemed ‘right’ to continue this lineage in some way. Therefore it is with great pleasure that The Cellar Door has been born to continue in a similar, if not a more embryonic way, combining the standards set by both the now sadly closed Arthur Purchase & Son and those of the Dining Room. We are establishing a new business and are hoping that we can embody the traditions of personal service and expertise that has over the years been synonymous with both companies.

I am very lucky to have the rich history of the beautiful Georgian building that we are privileged to occupy but also from using many of the suppliers that used to furnish their wares here and particularly in no small part to Matt Parkinson, who worked for the Purchases for a number of years and brings with him a youthful dynamism, knowledge and a great palate, to head up the Cellar Door team.

Initially we are offering around 200 wines and 400 spirits, but are happy to seek that special bottle and give advice for a particular event. You will be very welcome to drop into our cellar shop or into the bar to taste some wines, as well as attend some of the regular tutored tastings we will be planning – or we can even come to you!

The idea behind The Cellar Door is to be able to offer patrons of the restaurant the opportunity to take home wines they have enjoyed whist dining and for the citizens of Chichester and its environs to enjoy the services of a company that prides itself on quality and service more attributable to a bygone age. There is no minimum order and we will even deliver locally for free, so please enjoy this website and we look forward to being of service.

We would welcome any feedback (as with everything we do), so please don’t be shy about contacting us with ideas of how we can continue the dynasty here in North Street.

Neil Rusbridger
Proprietor