Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
A S Portwine & Sons
 Original Shop  Graham Portwine  Bike  Portwine & Co. |
At Portwine's you will find more than just an excellent butchers. The business is rich with a touching history and incorporates its vast experience, dating back to the 18th Century, into every item they offer.
Established in 1760, A S Portwine & Sons has remained within the Portwine family since its inception. Today, Graham Portwine has a lovely historical story to tell of his family and their connections with this long running family business.
The building home to the Butchery was built in the mid 1700's with the name Portwine placed right into the original brick work. Ever since, the Portwine family has called this location 'home'. Graham's great-grandfather was himself born above the shop, as were many other members of the family during the 18th and 19th centuries. Graham's great uncles branched themselves out and decided to open their own shops throughout London. One opened his own butchery in Portobello which was where, in turn, Graham's grandfather experienced his apprenticeship. You can find a picture of his grandfather as you walk into the Butchery today. He sits high and proudly atop his horse-drawn carriage near the shop.
Graham grew up watching his father and grandfather run the family business. "I used to run around the shop making a nuisance of myself when I was younger. But as I grew up I also learned the profession from my family. I was never forced into it. It was something I was quite happy to go into". He has worked at the business in Earlham Street for the past 30 years.
The centuries of experience of this unique Butchery are very evident in its products. At Portwine's they see themselves as 'craftsmen', producing an individual, tailor made cut. They believe that farming should not be intensive - the only acceptable items are high welfare, additive free, and free range produce. Long before BSE became a scare, the Portwines have offered only drug free products. Among these are Beef, Lamb, Bacon, Poultry, Eggs, hand mixed Sausages, and various Scottish favourites such as Traditional Haggis and Black Pudding.
So why should you visit this historically rich, experienced butchery with tasty, additive free, free-range products? Graham Portwine says it best. "We do our job well. It is the best quality meat because it is ground in a sensitive and sympathetic fashion. We condition the meat, which gives a much better product. Purity and confidence is given to each customer".
A S Portwine & Sons
24 Earlham Street,
Seven Dials,
Covent Garden,
London WC2H 9LN
Tel 020 7836 2353
Email: info@portwinebutchers.co.uk
http://www.portwinebutchers.co.uk
Article and photos by Carey Gordon
© Covent Garden Community Association, May 2001
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