Derek Lightfoot, owner/proprietor, is full of infectious enthusiasm for his trade and any visit to the shop ensures you will return again and again.

Derek’s story is an interesting one…..

A steelworker, Derek was made redundant in the late 80s with the demise of the steel industry. Wisely, he used some of his redundancy to take the Licensed Trade Diploma at Rockingham College which included an in-depth grounding and captured Derek’s imagination.

Intending to build up a grocery/off licence business, Derek soon found that he and his wife were working very long hours for very little profit. “We were not getting anywhere… it was busy but not worth all the effort.” So, selling that business for a profit, Derek was now on the search for a job.

By pure coincidence Rotherham Jobcentre was advertising for a wine consultant for a German company, Jakob Gerhardt, which was based in Wimbledon but had a regional office near Birmingham.

Derek worked for Gerhardts on a self-employed basis for 3 years, working from home and selling their wines by the case. During this time he gained invaluable experience and knowledge of wines.

Despite enjoying his time with the company, Derek decided “If I can do the business I might as well do it for myself…”

Lightfoots Wine Line is located in the charming village of Wentworth in South Yorkshire.

Lightfoots Wine Line was set up while still working for Gerhardts but when the time came that the two turnovers were equal Derek made the decision to go it alone. It was a risk and he freely admits to waking in a cold sweat on more than one occasion but hard work and perseverance paid off. Unfortunately, the long hours needed to ensure the success of the business had a casualty, his marriage.

When an existing wine shop in Wentworth became available in 2001, Derek jumped at the chance to showcase his wines. Living only 3 miles from the shop, it was an ideal location.

Many of Lightfoots’ customers have known Derek since his time with Gerhardts and have never bought wine from anyone else. But it’s not all a bed of roses, the increasing competition from supermarkets in recent years has caused problems for many shopkeepers, Derek included. However, his outlook is optimistic and he feels confident that there will always be a place for a knowledgeable specialist who strives to provide an excellent product at affordable prices.

With over 600 wines in stock from around the world, Lightfoots is the place to browse for that something special or even just something to go with that evening’s dinner.

This website lists just some of the stock available – for a more complete picture you really should visit the shop and enjoy a convivial chat with Derek.

Feel free to visit our new blog where you can find information about wines, offers and our tastings events.

You can visit our shop from Wednesday to Sunday,
from 12 noon until 4pm.,

Main Street, Wentworth, Rotherham S62 7TN.,

You can use the link below from 'google maps' to find us.

Telephone 01709 468140

To all of you, from all of us at Lightfoots Wines Store - Thank you for finding the time to browse our site.

Derek Lightfoot

View Larger Map