Tim’s journey in wine began when he joined Douglas Green of Paarl. In 1991 was appointed CEO when DGB was formed, alongside Mr. Graham Beck, through the merger of Union Wine (Bellingham & Culemborg) and Douglas Green. In 1998 Tim led a management buyout of DGB with Graham Beck retaining a 20% shareholding.
It was from here, that under Tim’s stewardship that the remarkable journey began. The expansion of production facilities in Wellington in 2000 with the building of a new premium winery for Bellingham in 2002, DGB’s acquisition of Boschendal followed in 2005, a milestone which gave DGB an iconic Cape Wine brand to bring into the fold. Subsequent acquisitions and development of notable wineries like Franschhoek Cellar, Brampton, the Old Road Wine Company, Fryers Cove, and Backsberg has further solidified DGB's presence in diverse wine-growing regions and across numerous categories and markets.
During these years Tim steadfastly built a global sales team with the view that success for South African wine was to have a permanent presence in each of the key wine markets, with DGB offices established in the UK, Holland, Germany, Canada, USA, Hong Kong, China and Dubai.
In the local market Tim’s vision was to provide an effective distribution route to market supported by a national sales network which could focus on building the DGB portfolio. A new distribution center was built in Midrand which also became the head office for the local sales and executive teams. Investments in optimal resources and structures are as important as those in excellent vineyards and wineries.
His long-term commitment to transformation, empowerment and community upliftment is apparent in DGB’s Level 4 B-BBEE contributor status and the multiple benefactors of the DGB charitable trust with a clear bias to formative childhood development initiatives in specific underprivileged and economically depressed communities where DGB operates.
Over the span of over 35 years, these numerous acquisitions, his stellar strategic vision, and a commitment to not only excellence but also to people and communities, along with his keen eye for the future, Hutchinson has left an indelible mark on the South African wine industry and continues to do so.