Straits Wine Company Enters Its Next Phase With New Owners and New Wine-Experience Concepts

• Straits Wine Company Launches ‘Art and Wine’ to Woo Younger Wine Drinkers Through Shared Learning and Fun Wine Experiences

• Monthly Showcases of Selected Wines Paired with an Art Adventure Creates a Lively Gathering of Like-Minded, Novice Wine Aficionados, Spurring Learning, and Appreciation for Both Wine and Art

The Straits Wine Company (Straits Wine) is proud to announce the launch of its series of monthly ‘Art and Wine’ appreciation events across its outlets, designed to attract younger, novice wine drinkers by making both wine and art accessible, experiential, and fun.

This move, alongside a range of other new initiatives to be launched, follows the acquisition of the 19-year-old wine retailer and distributor by Santero & Oliva Group Holdings, a vineyard owner with several lifestyle businesses across the globe.

‘Art and Wine’ was introduced on a trial basis in June, September, and October this year and was very well received by a younger audience, earning rave reviews. Its sold-out trials reinforced the company’s new and refreshed direction to make wine more accessible and engaging.

According to the new owner’s analysis of shifting wine trends, evidenced by their vineyards’ performance and innovations in the winemaking industry, The Straits Wine Company was certain that a large group of novice wine drinkers is seeking more unique, personalised interactions. This spurred the team to brainstorm new ideas for the market. ‘Art and Wine’ was the first of the ideas to be piloted.

Art and Wine Experience

In Art and Wine, Straits Wine ties up with local art partners to feature a local artist who will demonstrate their painting techniques and guide participants to complete their own Art and Wine artwork. Straits Wine hopes that this will broaden understanding of the various art techniques and methods employed by artists and help participants better enjoy their experience. Local artworks will also be on showcase and available for purchase at each event.

Instinc Art Gallery, which represents over 60 local artists across several art genres, will kick off this collaboration with Straits Wine starting from January 2026.

The first trial event, held on 26 June at UE Square outlet, provided customers who purchased any bottle of wine with a blank canvas or a tote bag and acrylic paints to paint while they drank. The event was a sell-out that evening.

For the second ‘Art and Wine’ on 16 September, also at UE Square, customers were invited to decorate a plain cream cake while enjoying 7 different wines on a two-hour free flow, with a participation fee of SGD 49 per person. Straits Wine teamed up with Marisa’s bakery to supply the cakes, tools, necessary ingredients, and facilitators to guide customers in expressing their creativity through coloured cream, cake toppers, and sprinkles. Once again, the event was a full house, with customers having such a positive experience that many expressed interest in signing up for subsequent ‘Art and Wine’ sessions.

Statement from the Co-Owner

“The success of our initial three ‘Art and Wine’ sessions reinforced our belief that there is an underserved community of wine drinkers who is looking for a more interactive experience to enjoy with their friends while learning more about wine. After the first successful trial, we decided to create the second version of ‘Art and Wine’, which offers customers the opportunity to sample and discover new wines during the session,” says Puwaneswari Naidu, the new Co-owner of The Straits Wine Company.

“I am pleased to confirm that ‘Art and Wine’ will continue, and we hope that in the time to come, a wider community of wine drinkers will enjoy their experiences with us and learn more about the fascinating world of wine, a passion that is close to my heart.”

Upcoming Event

The next ‘Art and Wine’ event will feature wine glass painting and will be held on 26 November at the UE Square outlet from 6 pm to 10 pm, with a participation fee of SGD 39 per person, and includes 2 hours of free-flow wines from the Straits Wine cellar.

Year-End Promotions

Straits Wine promotions for this festive year-end include:

Season of Gifting, Sparkle Deals: featuring meaningful gifts and timeless choices, starting from just $20, running from 21 November 2025 to 31 December 2025.
Festive Fizz & Freebies: buy 2 get 1 free, available from 3 December 2025 to 8 January 2026.

All promotions are valid for selected items and while stocks last.

For more information on Straits Wine, visit www.straitswine.com.

About Straits Wine

The Straits Wine Company was established in 2006 with a singular focus: to celebrate the art of wine with discerning drinkers across Asia. Today, we are a leading wine importer, retailer, and distributor operating in Singapore.

The Straits Wine Company advocates for quality and artisanal wine producers located around the world, with a focus on sourcing well-crafted wines produced by passionate and progressive winemakers. Through the years, The Straits Wine Company has grown to become a trusted partner and collaborator of Michelin-starred restaurants, innovative hospitality groups, and luxury hotels – known for our wine expertise and exceptional service alike.

Our 6 venues located across Singapore, together with our vibrant and evolving e-commerce platform, have consistently served as favourite discovery touchpoints for discerning wine lovers across the island.

To find out more, visit www.straitswine.com.

About Santero & Oliva Group Holdings

Santero & Oliva is a lifestyle group that focuses on artisanal food, wine and fashion brands that tell a compelling, personal story. The group owns a vineyard in Italy and has expanded its reach to Southeast Asia through the acquisitions of humble, bespoke brands that are culturally and meaningfully integrated into the neighbourhoods they serve.

The group’s latest acquisition is the Singaporean Straits Wine Company, a wine distributor and retailer that has served Singaporeans through their life’s milestones and celebrations for close to 2 decades.

About INSTINC

“INSTINC is not a commercial gallery… It’s the project of an artist dreamer.” – Alba Escayo, Artist

This simple, powerful observation lies at the very heart of our identity. Founded in 2004 by artist Yeo Shih Yun, INSTINC was born from a desire to create a fiercely independent, artist-run space in Singapore — a place driven by curiosity, experimentation, and community rather than commercial imperatives. For over two decades, we have remained true to this vision, evolving into a vital institution that champions artistic freedom and serves as a dynamic hub for contemporary art in Southeast Asia and beyond.

To find out more, visit www.instinc.com.

STRAITS WINE OUTLETS

Balmoral Plaza
271 Bukit Timah Road #01-06A, Singapore 259708
Tel: +65 6733 4733
Opening Hours: 12:30pm – 10:30pm (Mon–Sat), 12pm – 9pm (Sun & PH)
Reservation: +65 6733 4733, balmoral@straitswine.com
Retail & Drink-in

Icon Village
12 Gopeng Street #01-43/44 Icon Village, Singapore 078877
Tel: +65 6327 7433
Opening Hours: 11am – 8pm (Daily)
icon@straitswine.com
Retail Only

La Fontana Restaurant
123 Penang Rd, #01-12 Regency House, Singapore 238465
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 10:30pm (Mon-Sat including public holiday, closed on Sundays)
Reservation: +65 8977 9018, La.fontana@straitswine.com
Retail, Dine & Drink-in

Rail Mall
424 Upper Bukit Timah Rd, Singapore 678052
Tel: +65 6892 2833
Opening Hours: 1:30pm – 10:30pm (Daily)
Reservation: +65 6892 2833, railmall@straitswine.com
Retail & Drink-in

Sentosa Quayside Isle
31 Ocean Way #01-24/25 Quayside Isle, Singapore 098375
Tel: +65 6292 5633
Opening Hours: 12pm – 9pm (Daily)
sentosa@straitswine.com
Retail Only

UE Square
81 Clemenceau Avenue #01-11, Singapore 239917
Tel: +65 6737 8033
Opening Hours: 1pm – 10pm (Daily)
Reservation: +65 6737 8033, uesquare@straitswine.com
Retail & Drink-in

Spokesperson Biography

Puwaneswari Naidu & Stefano Oliva, Owners, La Fontana and Straits Wine Company, and Founders of Santero & Oliva Group Holdings

Puwaneswari Naidu and Stefano Oliva are a couple in life and work, united by a shared vision of blending heritage with innovation. The foundation of their group, Santero & Oliva, lies in Italy, where Stefano manages his family’s third-generation vineyard. This estate represents not only tradition but also the deep-rooted values of craftsmanship, excellence, and legacy that guide the group.

Extending their focus to Asia, their initial venture was Marisa’s Bakery in Singapore, a tribute to Stefano’s late mother, which established the cornerstone of their presence, embodying family and artisanal craft. Following the bakery’s success, the group diversified, launching Felici Pizza Kitchen in Thailand and partnering with the Thai fashion house Supa East Glamour, reflecting a wider lifestyle vision. A pivotal acquisition was the Straits Wine Company, one of Singapore’s pioneering wine distributors, which the couple aims to transform into a true legacy brand and elevate wine culture across Asia. Most recently, they launched La Fontana, a restaurant in Singapore that celebrates Italian and Mediterranean flavours, representing their dedication to cultural storytelling through hospitality.

Stefano brings the legacy of his vineyard and deep expertise in wine, while Puwaneswari leads the group’s brand vision and business expansion. Her passion for food, brand-building, and storytelling shapes the group’s identity and growth across markets. With its roots in Italian winemaking and its future anchored in Asia’s dynamic markets, Santero & Oliva Group Holdings Pte Ltd is committed to creating cross-cultural experiences that are authentic, sustainable, and unforgettable, placing Asia at the heart of their global presence.