A POPULAR wine bar and shop in Christchurch is preparing to undergo a management change.

Bodega Wine, an independent trader on Wick Lane has been sold after a “gorgeous six years of serving up the most incredible wines.”

The business has been bought by Jason Giddings and Dave Burns, who also took over the Thomas Tripp in Christchurch earlier this year.

Jason said: “There will be no real big changes. We’re going to keep the name, there will just be a few smaller tweaks operationally.”

Bodega opened in 2016, offering more than 100 wines and spirits as well as deli style food.

The bar proved an immediate hit with customers, and was recognised in the Observer Food Monthly awards, and as one of Olive magazines best wine bars.

Jason added: “From our perspective, it will still run as Bodega for the coming years, just under new management, overseen by the Thomas Tripp.”

The pair hope that the premises will remain open throughout the management transition, rather than closing on July 2 as previously thought.

Megan Fowler-Spink, who has been running Bodega with her husband, said: “I have a lot of time for these guys, and I look forward to seeing what they’re going to be doing.

“To hand it over to anyone is massive, but I think we needed to simplify our lives a little bit, so I can be a mother and we can focus on the other venues.

“I’m so proud of what we did there.”

In a social media post, Megan thanked her colleagues, family and customers for their contributions to the venture’s success. She wrote: “After a gorgeous 6 years of serving up the most incredible wines we could hunt down it’s time to say goodbye to the Bodega.

“The Bodega has been the most incredible passion project for me and in later years my husband James too.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what I’ve achieved with her.

“A huge thank you to all of you who have been involved over the years. You all have helped shape the space that has been incredibly sacred to me.”