Italian wine bar and kitchen Veeno is set to open in Durham this September – bringing Italian Aperitivo and Spuntini to the city.
Veeno will open its doors at The Riverwalk in early September, and will pair Sicilian wine with sharing boards of Italian meats and cheeses while creating up to 20 new jobs.
The venue’s menu will also feature Italian pizzas and pasta, focusing on the Italian Aperitivo concept – drinking, nibbling and relaxing after work.
Durham duo Dan and Donna Lewis have purchased the franchise from business partners Nino Caruso and Rodrigue Trouillet, who operate five Veeno sites across the UK.
The new wine bar and kitchen will follow the company’s model of offering wines from Nino’s family vineyard, Caruso and Minini, based in Marsala in the west of Sicily. Spuntini – platters of meats and cheese – will be imported from specialist artisan Italian suppliers which Veeno has built up relationships with throughout the years. A full range of Italian cocktails and spritz will also be available.
“We cannot wait to bring a slice of Sicily to Durham,” said Dan, who has spent time with Donna in Marsala learning about the wines they will be offering. “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 sundrenched 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,” said Dan, former clubhouse manager of Bishop Auckland Rugby Club.
In addition to showcasing wines from the historic estate, Veeno also champions a carefully curated selection of wines from small-scale, independent producers across Italy. Many of these partners share the same commitment to organic practices, low-intervention winemaking, and preserving native grape varieties.
“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,” said Donna, who also formerly managed the clubhouse at Bishop Auckland Rugby Club.
Veeno, which will be situated inside the former Pizza Punks site, will feature a variety of experiences – where guests can take their taste buds on a journey through Italy’s food and wine culture. These include A Trip To Sicily – during which guests get to try five wines from the family vineyard and a spuntini sharing platter, with guidance on which elements pair best with each wine. There’s also sweet wine and homemade Italian tiramisu using Nino’s grandmother’s original recipe.
There’s also an Italian Afternoon Tea experience; Wine and Nibbles; and Quattro Rossi and Quattro Bianchi offering the chance to explore Italian red wines and white wines paired with meats, cheese and bruschetta.
“The experiences are a really fun way of exploring the wines – from vibrant fruity reds to crisp, citrusy whites and refreshing rose,” said Donna.
The menu also includes Veeno’s Grande Boards; fresh pasta; Piattini – small Italian plates; and pizzas.
Nino, whose great-grandfather Francesco established the family’s vineyards in Sicily, founded the first Veeno in Manchester in 2013 to honour his grandfather’s dream of sharing the flavours of their estate.
He said: “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.”
To celebrate the opening of Veeno Durham, anyone who visits the Durham venue in September will be treated to a free glass of wine, while one lucky winner and a guest will be flown out to Sicily to experience the vineyard and wines.
