Sale's much-loved wine bar and shop, Cork of the North, is in the running for a prestigious Manchester Food and Drink Festival Award – and the team is calling on locals to help bring the trophy home!
The independent wine merchant, based on Northenden Road, has been shortlisted for Wine Offering of the Year at the 2026 awards, which celebrate the best of Greater Manchester's food and drink scene.
Founded by Marc Hough, Cork of the North opened its Sale wine bar and shop in 2016 and has become a firm fixture of the town's hospitality scene. Offering hundreds of wines from around the world, alongside regular tasting events, the family-run business is no stranger to awards success.
In 2023, it scooped the Food and Drink Retailer of the Year title at the Manchester Food and Drink Festival Awards – and now the team is hoping to add another accolade to its collection.
Marc and the Cork of the North team said: "We try very hard to be the best at what we do and winning this award really would mean a lot to us. It's a public vote – and every vote counts – so please follow the link and vote on the MFDF website. It only takes a minute!"
While it's fantastic to see Cork of the North flying the flag for Sale, the town has missed out on nominations in all other categories this year. That includes Foodie Neighbourhood of the Year, a category in which Sale had been shortlisted for four consecutive years, although it never quite managed to take home the title.
The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on Monday 25 January 2027, with public votes combined with judges' scores to decide the winners. Voting closes at midnight on Monday 11 January 2027, so there's plenty of time to get behind one of Sale's independent favourites!
📍 Cork of the North, 13 Northenden Road, Sale M33 2DH
