Our Team

Wine has been part of our culture for 3,000 years. Like art, its enjoyment is fundamentally subjective, to make great wine you need both science and creativity in equal measure. Wine brings families and friends together not just to eat but to down tools for a while and share the day's events. It's the glue that our society increasingly needs. My favourite wine? Barolo at a push but, fortunately, I will never need to decide. Wine's beauty lies in its diversity; there's one out there to suit every budget and palate.

Michael Palij MW, Founder

Meet Julie, our vibrant Managing Director here at Winetraders! With a career as diverse as the flavours she adores, Julie's journey in the world of wine began when she discovered a passion for wine while working amidst the bustling hospitality scene in Hong Kong. Fuelling her enthusiasm, Julie embarked on a journey back to the UK, delving more into the world of wines and earning accolades such as the WSET Diploma and a coveted scholarship from the prestigious Champagne Academy. But her thirst for knowledge didn't stop there! Julie recently earned accreditation as MCIPS, showcasing her commitment to continual growth and excellence. Julie's expertise spans the spectrum of the wine industry, from procurement to sales and everything in between. With a knack for nurturing relationships, she has forged close ties with winemakers and producers worldwide, making Winetraders a hub for remarkable wines. Whether she's sourcing the finest vintages or crafting unique brand experiences, Julie's passion shines through in every endeavour.

Julie Buckley, Managing Director

Edmund built up his industry knowledge spending a decade working his way up in hospitality – from bartender to bar group manager to wine buyer, he has certainly done the hard graft. His love of wine and perhaps more so, his love of spirits started at Hotel du Vin which resulted in his completion of WSET diploma, and more recently the level 3 award in spirits. Edmund has been with Winetraders since 2018. When not charming London’s finest sommeliers, he is tending to his collection of carnivorous plants, which he may or may not throw into the odd wine sale if you're lucky.

Edmund Skinner Smith, Business Development Manager & Head of Digital

Hailing from the Lake District, our ace accountant and Finance Manager Viv studied in Manchester before qualifying as a Chartered Accountant back in the rainy Lakes. She has had a busy career as a partner, sole practitioner as well as a good stint in the tourism industry. Viv moved from Cumbria to Oxfordshire, via the north-east of England and Wales, working with a charity, where she decided to combine her love of wine and numbers by joining Winetraders in 2014. When not setting our competitive pricing, Viv enjoys exploring the beautiful Cotswolds surrounding her, who doesn't?

Viv Bell, Finance Manager

Nicola does all our invoice and credit control and has done for the last 16 years. She has a soft touch and patience of gold, but fail to adhere to terms and she can be quite persuasive! Living in Oxfordshire with her family, Nicola always puts her two kids first, and now the third in the shape of a 14th month old Labrador called Kobe. She has yet to bring him to the office which we think is rather unfair.

Nicola Hoesli, Invoicing and Credit Control

Dildora is the new blood in the office team. Originally from Uzbekistan she moved with her husband to Turkey where she attained a degree in Public Administration from Istanbul University. Dildora has worked for over 15 years in various roles in purchasing & logistics before starting at Winetraders in September 2022. Since then our operations have become smoother and smoother under her watchful eye. She has also just passed her WSET level 2! Her office conversation often revolves around her 12yr old son, “the joy of my life”, as well as gardening and delicious dinners she’s cooked for friends. Dildora’s latest passion has been playing rugby for the ladies’ team in her local club.

Dildora Husanova, Logistics Manager