Winemark owner Paul Hunt dies in holiday tragedy

Northern Ireland businessman Paul Hunt has died in tragic circumstances while on holiday in Portugal.

The executive chairman of Belfast-based drinks company Golf Holdings, which owns Winemark and a number of other hospitality businesses, was 75.

It is understood he died on Friday, June 23, after suffering a seizure having gone out for a walk at the Quinta do Lago golf resort, where he had been staying with his wife Pat.

It is believed he had gone out alone on Friday morning but failed to return. His body was not discovered until Sunday and is yet to be repatriated.

Mr Hunt leaves two sons and a daughter, with his son Patrick now a director on the board.

He entered the drinks industry after graduating from Queen’s University, where he read economics, and in 1983 took over James E McCabe, a long-established Co Armagh beer, wine and spirits business.

Winemark the Winemerchants Ltd is also part of their firm Golf Holdings, which operates pubs and restaurants in Belfast through Wine Inns.

Wine Inns owns many south Belfast venues including The Empire, The Alibi, The Chelsea, Four Winds, Cutters Wharf and The Doyen – formerly the King’s Head on Belfast’s Lisburn Road.

It remained in McCabe family ownership until after the death of the founder Jack McCabe, when control passed to Hunt and his former business partner Pat McCormack. Together they built a business with more than 80 Winemark outlets across Northern Ireland.

Winemark the Winemerchants Ltd is part of Golf Holdings, which operates pubs and restaurants in Belfast through Wine Inns.

Wine Inns owns several south Belfast venues including The Empire, The Alibi, The Chelsea, Four Winds, Cutters Wharf and The Doyen – formerly the King’s Head on the Lisburn Road.

Jim O’Neill, a former managing director of United Wine Merchants and a friend of Mr Hunt, said: “Paul was well respected within the industry and ran a hugely successful operation for many years. This is devastating news.”

Alliance MLA Connie Egan commented: “Really sorry to hear Paul Hunt has died in tragic circumstances.

“I loved my first job working in Winemark and Paul was always very highly regarded. Thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”