Delicata Diamond Award for Wembley Store

If the Wembley Store in Valletta could talk it would speak volumes.

How many of us haven’t asked someone at some point to wait for them at this landmark corner right across from the old Royal Opera House and juxtaposed with the new parliament? For nearly a century, the building has been eavesdropping, as it were, on people from all walks of life meeting in front of its iconic vintage looking façade.

The Wembley Store first opened for business in 1924. Its name was inspired by the British Empire Exhibition incidentally held at Wembley the same year.

First, during colonial times, mostly well-off British clients found their familiar daily needs and favourite tipple here. Later, when Malta changed to a consumer society after years of economic hardship, the store became a port of call for Maltese regulars and tourists alike.

The Wembley Store has remained in the hands of the Gauci family ever since it opened its doors. Catering for a variety of lifestyles, it’s known for its refined selection of good food and fine wine.

Nearly all this time the shop has been selling Delicata wines. As a token of gratitude and appreciation, the Delicata winery fittingly presented the Wembley Store with its Diamond Loyalty Award.

Third generation entrepreneur Christopher Gauci was the recipient of the framed certificate and accompanying personalised three-litre double magnum of Delicata’s flagship gold-medal winning Gran Cavalier Merlot.

Wembley’s Diamond Award marks the outlet’s milestone achievement of purveying Delicata wines for an indeterminate period of time spanning several generations. Successful trading between the two companies dates back to the very early days of the shop’s inception and the beginning of Malta’s foremost winery, both sharing a high regard for excellence and family values.

Delicata’s customer loyalty award scheme was introduced in 2009 to reward business clients who have been steadfast purveyors of their Maltese wines. There are various levels of accomplishment. To date the Delicata winery has awarded 59 business partners in Malta and Gozo: two bronze, six silver, 20 gold, 24 platinum and seven diamond distinctions.