MAN OF THE MONTH: IAN

Every month we like to shine a light on someone who helps shape the rhythm of our neighbourhood

For March, it's lan Trinkle, the man behind Wineism in Albion. If you've spent any time there, you'll know it's not just a wine shop. It's the kind of place where one glass turns into a conversation, a recomendation becomes a new favourite, and you always leave knowing a little more than when you arrived.

lan and his partner Liz have built something special, a space that feels thoughtful, welcoming and quietly full of personality.

We sat down with lan to talk wine, community, what he's drinking right now, and what he wears behind the bar on a busy Friday night.

Ian is wearing the:

Frescobol Carioca Rino Cotton Short Sleeve Jacquard Knit Polo in Black

Citizens of Humanity London Denim in Dark Storm

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You’ve built something special with Wineism. What was your original vision - and did you expect it to become the local institution it is today? 

The original idea was really to create a place where people could not only buy wine, but experience it. Somewhere that felt like a destination, where you could sit down, try wines, and discover things you might not normally pick up off a shelf. 

For me, a big part of it has always been sharing that excitement. Wine can be such a personal thing, and being able to open bottles and talk about them with people is what makes it special. 

From the beginning, the private space was also really important. We always imagined it as somewhere we could run tastings and educational sessions, a place where people could start their wine journey. In a way, we hoped Wine-ism could become a bit of a cultural hub for wine in the neighbourhood. 

And I know it sounds a little hokey, but there’s something really rewarding about being there at the start of someone’s wine journey - guiding them, watching their tastes evolve, and hopefully continuing that relationship over time as they keep discovering new things. 

Wine can feel intimidating. How do you make it approachable, and how do you want people to feel when they walk in? 

That perception definitely exists in the wine world, and it’s something we’ve always been conscious of avoiding. We never wanted Wine-ism to feel intimidating, arrogant, or overly serious. 

A big part of it comes down to the people. When we build the team, we’re really looking for personalities that are warm, curious and genuinely enjoy engaging with guests. Wine knowledge is important, but approachability is just as important. 

Our philosophy is simple, ask questions rather than make assumptions. Everyone walks in with different tastes, experiences and levels of knowledge, so the goal is to meet people where they are and guide them from there. 

Ultimately, we want people to feel comfortable the moment they walk in the door. Curious, relaxed, and excited to try something new, whether they know a lot about wine or absolutely nothing at all. 

Is there a “gateway bottle” you love introducing people to and one that changes their mind? 

I wouldn’t say there’s a single “gateway bottle,” but I do really enjoy changing people’s preconceived ideas about certain wines. 

Chardonnay is a great example. A lot of people are convinced they don’t like it, usually because they were exposed to some pretty heavily oaked styles from the 90s and early 2000s that lacked balance and finesse. 

What’s really rewarding is reintroducing them to the style through some of the wines being made today. Many still use a little oak, but it’s done with far more restraint, balance and precision. When someone tastes that and suddenly realises, “Oh, this is actually delicious,” it’s a great moment. 

Admittedly, there’s also a slightly selfish motivation, I drink a lot of Chardonnay myself, so I’m always happy to recruit a few more people into the tribe. 

Ian is wearing the:

Roberto Collina Polo MC Punto Piquet in Moro

Citizens of Humanity Gage Italian Canvas Jean in Almond

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What do you love most about being part of the Albion community? 

Liz and I have always lived on the north side, so I remember Albion Fine Trades from when it first opened. At the time I was working in a restaurant that used Hacienda Flowers, and I remember them telling me they were moving from Racecourse Road into this new precinct. I went to check it out and thought the space was incredibly cool and unique, and that was long before Wineism was even a thought. 

What really cemented my love for the community, though, was during the 2022 floods. We had only been open for about two months and were heavily affected, and the outpouring of support and generosity from people in Albion was incredible.

That experience has stayed with me. It really showed how strong and supportive the local community is, and it’s something I’ll never forget. 

After a long day recommending wine… what’s in your own glass? 

Honestly, after a really long and busy day it usually means I’ve already tried and talked about a lot of wine. By the time I get home I can be a bit of a zombie, so the last thing I want is something overly contemplative. An ice-cold beer does wonders to bring me back to life. 

On a normal, more relaxed evening though, Chardonnay usually does the trick if I’m drinking white. As the weather cools down I lean more towards Pinot Noir - Mornington Peninsula and Burgundy in particular. 

I also always love the great wines of Italy, Barolo, Barbaresco, Brunello. And if it’s a school night and going crazy isn’t on the cards, a good Nebbiolo d’Alba with pizza is pretty hard to beat. 

Ian is wearing the:

Jacob Cohen Light Jacket Leather Pelle Raw in Dark Chocolate

James Perse Luxe Lotus Jersey Crew Neck T-shirt in White

Citizens of Humanity London Jean in Parkland

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If you’re hosting a relaxed dinner at home, what’s being served - and who’s invited? 

I do love a little cocktail hour to start things off. A couple of martinis or negronis and all of a sudden everyone is talking. 

Food-wise I like to keep things pretty simple. Fresh seafood, some proteins, cool salads, nothing too fussy. My latest obsession has been cooking on the Gozney pizza oven the staff were nice enough to gift Liz and I for Christmas, which has been getting a good workout. 

Being surrounded by family is always great, but there’s also something special about those nights where you connect with new friends and really hit it off. You know those Step Brothers moments, the “did we just become best friends?” kind of evening. Those tend to be the most memorable. 

We’ve styled you in Calexico Man. How would you describe your style, and what’s your go-to Friday night look at Wineism? 

If you’ve been to Wineism and seen the interior, it’s pretty dark and moody, and that probably reflects my style as well. 

I tend to keep things fairly simple. Usually an all-black look, a couple of nice pieces of jewellery. I’m a big fan of Citizens of Humanity jeans, and I’ll often pair those with a James Perse collared shirt or T-shirt. 

If I’m feeling a little more dressed up, I might go for one of the linen shirts from James Perse or Frescobol Carioca. It’s all about keeping it relaxed but still feeling put together for a busy Friday night in the bar. 

lan makes wine feel the way it should feel. Interesting, enjoyable, and never intimidating.

Spend an evening at Wineism and you'll quickly realise it's not just about the bottles. It's the conversations, the recommendations, and the quiet confidence that comes from someone who genuinely loves what they do.

The Albion community is full of people like lan. Passionate, thoughtful, and quietly shaping the places we all enjoy spending time in.

Next time you're passing Wineism, take a seat at the bar and ask lan what he's drinking that night.

There's a good chance you'll want a glass too.

Xx Nicky