New wine bar brings taste of Sicily to Durham

A North East couple is bringing a taste of Sicily to Durham with a new hospitality venture set to open this September.

Italian wine bar and kitchen brand Veeno is opening at The Riverwalk, creating up to 20 new jobs and offering authentic Italian wines and sharing boards. 

The Durham site will be operated by local franchisees Dan and Donna Lewis, joining a network of UK locations founded by Nino Caruso and Rodrigue Trouillet.

Centred on Italy’s Aperitivo culture, the menu pairs wines from Nick’s family vineyard in Marsala with Spuntini – artisan-imported meats and cheeses – alongside small plates, pasta and pizzas.

Guests can also enjoy tasting ‘Experiences,’ from guided pairings and sweet wine with tiramisu to themed events like Italian Afternoon Tea and Quattro Rossi.

Veeno’s wine list champions both family-grown Sicilian vintages and small-scale producers across Italy who embrace low-intervention and organic methods.

Dan, former clubhouse manager of Bishop Auckland Rugby Club, said: “We cannot wait to bring a slice of Sicily to Durham city.

“The wines at Veeno are a true expression of Sicilian soul – bold, elegant and rooted in generations of craftsmanship. 

“Every bottle tells a story of sun-drenched vineyards, family heritage and a deep respect for the land.

“The commitment to tradition, innovation, and sustainability shines through in each vintage, capturing the unique terroir of western Sicily with authenticity and finesse.”

Donna, who also previously managed the clubhouse at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club, added: “We fell in love with the Veeno story, the authenticity of the wines, the tradition and innovation – and we wanted to bring the joy that we experienced there to the people of Durham. 

“You’ll not find any of the wines served here in another venue in the city.

“The experiences are a really fun way of exploring the wines, from vibrant fruity reds, to crisp, citrus whites and refreshing rose.”

Set inside the former Pizza Punks unit, the bar will mark its opening month with a free glass of wine for every guest. 

And one lucky customer – and a guest – will also win a trip to Sicily to visit the vineyard at the heart of Veeno’s story.

Nino, whose great-grandfather Francesco established the family’s vineyards in Sicily and who founded the first Veeno in Manchester in 2013 to honour his grandfather’s dream of sharing the flavours of their estate, added: “We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Dan and Donna into the Veeno family as the new owners of Veeno Durham. 

“Their passion for hospitality, commitment to quality, and genuine love of great wine and food perfectly reflect the values we built Veeno on. 

“I have every confidence they will create something truly special in Durham – a place where people can relax, connect and enjoy the authentic Veeno experience.”

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