A Gaol Street wine bar, music venue and popular events space is celebrating its second birthday this weekend.

Ovation Wine & Spirit Bar, located in the heart of Oakham's traditional market town, is turning two this weekend, and all be celebrating with fizz, nibbles and what is set to be a competitive game of rugby.

You can enjoy a beer, snack or obligatory pint of Guinness with the rugby this weekend. Image credit: Ovation.

After ten years of travelling and working on boats, Chris and Bianca Nix decided that coming to Rutland seemed like the best option for both, and it was in the country's smallest county where they decided to take the plunge and open their own wine bar.

Bianca, from South Africa, has been in the hospitality industry for almost 20 years and has done everything from waitressing, event management to serving the rich and famous on their yachts.

Bianca and Chris have a long history in hospitality, and look forward to welcoming you to Ovation. Image credit: Chris and Bianca Nix.

Chris, from Oakham, has worked in the finance sector, studied business management and on the boats, had the role of captain and/or engineer.

And since they opened Ovation, the duo haven't looked back, and have grown their business, gathering a loyal following and hosting a range of wine and spirit tasting events, live music soirées, sports screenings and more.

They said: "we can't quite believe it's been a year since our wonderful first birthday party and two years in total since we started this terrifying and wonderful adventure. 

"This year has seen the addition of our mobile bar and car services and continued tasting and music events. 

"We are so grateful to still be here and to be going from strength to strength. Our loyal and ever supportive customers is what keeps us motivated and striving to keep creating and innovating."

The team host regular live music nights. Image credit: Nub News.

They continued: "We are so blessed to have the community that we do and are proud of its continued growth. 

"Our staff, the heart of what we do! From the ones that started out with us, to the guys and girls we have now, we can't do any of it without them and we are overjoyed with Josh's permanent return to us and are excited to get him more involved! We love teaching and helping our staff grow.

"Watch this space, we have so much more in store for you, with an expansion of our food menu and the introduction of mid week wine flight nights."

Find Ovation on Gaol Street, Oakham, just off Oakham High Street. Image credit: Ovation.

They concluded: "All that's left to say, is "thank-you", to all our customers, staff, local businesses and media for getting us to 2 years… here's to many more!"

This weekend, the team will be screening the England v South Africa Rugby World Cup semi-final - which will certainly be a competitive one for the married couple - and popping a bottle of fizz or two to celebrate this commendable achievement.

In November, they will be launching a new cocktail menu, so watch this space...

Ovation sells wines from across the globe, as well as mixing some classic and original cocktails. Image credit: Ovation.

For now, head to our What's On page for a range of events taking place in local pubs and bars across Oakham, and sign up to the Oakham Nub News newsletter for more info on local businesses, up to date news and clickbait-free stories from across Rutland.

We look forward to you joining the Nub News following.