We are proud to celebrate a few milestones achieved by our local businesses this year. Learn more about what the decades have taught them and continue to shape them to serve our community.
The Beginning
After selling our previous business in the fuel industry, we took a much-needed break to the Cape. One morning, we had a wine tasting at the Van Loveren Family Vineyards in Robertson, in their beautiful garden setting, when their gran came out offering us freshly made sweetcorn fritters. We both thought this was an amazing experience, and Margie said, “We could offer something similar in the Midlands”. After acquiring Langley Park in Rosetta, we negotiated with the Liquor Authorities and local wine farms and opened our doors in 1996.
The Motivation Behind Our Business
Our friends enjoyed the different wines and stories we brought back from our travels. We realised there was a gap in the market and there were no other wine speciality stores in KZN, 1994/5. The wine makers commented that Natal was not a wine-drinking area. Being young, we said, “Well, we will teach them”.
Core Values
To offer a unique experience and to help grow the wine industry in SA. Sharing our knowledge and love of our wines. We enjoy pairing food and wine. In our business, we have always appreciated customer interaction, and many of our customers have become friends. There’s no greater reward than seeing customers return, many in the past 30 years.
Overcoming Challenges
In 2022, a tornado tore through our area, bringing down several huge pine trees that crashed through the centre of our shop, damaging the toilet and kitchen areas, and destroying the boma. That evening, as we surveyed the damage, we thought our season had come to an end, but thanks to our close community, that same evening, stock was removed from the damaged part of the shop. The next morning, we noticed bakkies, tractors, chainsaws and staff, even breakfast waiting at the gate. The bulk of the trees were removed from the buildings, undamaged racks and stock were set up at the top of the shop, and business continued.
Lessons Learned
The future has no guarantees. Treat everyone with honesty, kindness, and respect. Live each day to the fullest. You have to adapt to the time and see the solution, not the problem.
Memorable Experiences
Every day brings new memories—all the interesting people we meet, from customers to winemakers and celebrities who are so open to sharing their stories.
Timeless Advice for Lasting Success
Passion is the only advice. Passion for people, from our suppliers to customers, and a passion for your product. Even the smallest sale should be seen as an opportunity and an important sale.
The Next Chapter
Sarah, our late daughter, had been working through a Canadian university, and they suggested we look at planting a grape variety, Chambourcin. They felt it would do well in Rosetta’s low winter temperature. We have just had our first harvest and feel very positive, but we will wait to see what the future brings.