Today we pride ourselves on offering one of the widest varieties of wines online in South Africa. It all started in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, up against never-ending alcohol bans, Wine on Time was faced with a choice: wait it out, or pivot. We chose the latter, and Wine in the Warehouse was born.
Founded in 2008, Wine on Time is a logistics company that handles distribution for wine farms that do their own sales and marketing. Starting with just two clients, the company grew to service over 40 wine farms - a testament to our commitment to excellent service (and, of course, our love for wine).
When the world changed in 2020, we realised we had an opportunity to deepen our relationships with our wine farms and create a channel for direct-to-customer sales. The wheels were set in motion, and two years later, the Wine in the Warehouse website went live.
Meet the Team:
Sales & Marketing: Chris Strangways-Dixon
If Chris was a wine, he’d be… sparkling water! He doesn't drink, so your wine is safe with him.
Chris loves IT and the whole cyber-space thing (and yes, that includes Star Wars). Give him a laptop and a huge collection of wine to display and he will be as happy as a dog with two tails. Chris did a BSc in Computer Science and has been in the software development space for over 30 years. For him, Wine In The Warehouse is a new and exciting business, but a very challenging market. He says, “We strive to give you what you see - no frills, no surprises, just wonderful wine to your door at the right price!”
His favourite wine was Buitenverwachting Christine.
Operations: Debbie Bennetts
If Debbie was a wine, she’d be a Rosé.
It goes without saying that Debbie loves wine. Give her a warehouse packed with pallets of delicious wine to share, and she will be in her element. In her words: “It's like sorting out presents on Christmas day!” Debbie comes from the service industry and has been delivering wine for over 15 years. She’s passionate about the entire wine industry and everything that goes with it - from growing grapes and making wine, to tasting and delivering it. She says, “My job is amazing! Who else can say they manage a product that is made by passionate people, and then when it’s delivered, you’re invariably greeted by someone with a huge smile.”
Her favourite wines are Beaumont Hope Marguerite and Kleinood Tamboerskloof Katharien Rosé.
Warehouse: Raphael Mwatiwa
If Raphael was a wine, he’d be a Cabernet Sauvignon.
Raphael has been working with Debbie from the start. He’s a fun, bubbly man to be around, and somewhat of a magician - give him 32 pallets of wine, a forklift truck and a confined space, then tell him to work his magic and solve the storage conundrum. Raph says, “Every day is a puzzle challenge, and every day I solve it, so I always go home feeling like a genius!”
His favourite wine is Diemersfontein Cabernet Sauvignon.