At 12 Holywell Hill an Italian wine bar and deli has slowly been preparing for its launch this morning, (Thursday, September 25).
Baruccio is the brainchild of Gabriele, with a history in wine and Italy, he is utilising his passion to create an impressive infusion of coffee, alcohol and cuisine.
Gabriele is a “one-man-band” launching Baruccio.(Image: Gabriele)
“We offer a little slice of Italy, a touch of La Dolce Vita in St Albans,” Gabriele began.
“We are using speciality grade coffee, small batch organic wines and excellent gourmet focaccia sandwiches.
“Baruccio is about authenticity and meticulous attention to provenance and traceability, this applies to everything we serve to our customers.”
After scouting the property in 2024, Gabriele “fell in love” with St Albans and knew he wanted to create the eatery, something he “dreamt of” being able to do since he was younger.
“I was taking a day to myself strolling through St Albans in November, I had a nice pub lunch at the Six Bells and was seeing all the sites, it felt like the perfect day,” he continued.
“I saw this place (12 Holywell Hill) and thought how lovely it would be to have a nice wine bar here, I contacted them them as soon as possible.”
The soft menu for Baruccio.(Image: Huw Richards)
Since then, Gabriele has pulled the place together largely as a “one-man-band”, utilising antique furnishings and posters to decorate the shop.
He admitted that he can “almost feel proud” of what he has achieved.
“It’s been hard work so far. Once the place is up and running with Martina (the manager) and the rest of the team, once everyone knows what to do, the place will take shape and they won’t need me to be here all the time,” he added.
“I think once it’s open and people are having a good time here, that will be it. I want to see the results.”
During a brief discussion about Baruccio’s organic wine selection, an anecdote about a woman from Sicily discarding her corporate career to become a merchant, demonstrated Gabriele’s attention to detail – nothing was left up to chance.
(From left to right) Baruccio’s manager Martina and owner Gabriele.(Image: Huw Richards)
Like Gabriele, manager Martina stumbled upon Baruccio by chance in her quest to move out of the capital. The experienced chef has worked at Gordon Ramsay’s Lucky Cat in Mayfair for more than ten years.
“I wanted change, I was tired of the London lifestyle,” Martina said.
“I was out here on a day trip about two weeks ago and I found this place on Holywell Hill – the door was ajar so I came in. We chatted and next thing you know I’ve found a room and moved to St Albans.
“My quality of life will definitely improve!”
Martina brings her signature Tiramisu to the menu which Gabriele jokingly called the “best in the world”, and is excited for the new venture.
“It’s going to be an adventure, but I’m up for the challenge,” she added.
Baruccio, St Albans.(Image: Huw Richards)
Once they have settled in to Holywell Hill, Gabriele plans for wine tasting nights, workshops and late-night events at Baruccio. He also sees St Albans as going from strength to strength.
The shop’s “soft opening hours” are Wednesday to Sunday, 8.30am to 6pm and then from October 6 these will change, becoming Monday to Sunday 8.30am to 6pm.
Its wine bar will open from Wednesday to Sunday until 10pm.
“Nothing is stopping St Albans from becoming gastronomic titan,” he concluded.
“There are lots of things in the pipeline too that could make St Albans even more attractive. I think it’s great to be part of this community.”
Dining and Cooking