OUR BUSINESS
Kumkani was launched in South Africa in 2003 as a strategic brand for Stellenbosch Vineyards to proudly showcase its winemaking skill in producing top-of-the-range wines under a proudly African name.
The brand grew in several markets, including the USA, Sweden, Australian and South Africa amongst others and the awards for the brand started rolling in. Kumkani was listed on many local and international airlines and won several airline awards.
In January 2012, the Kumkani brand was restructured as a black owned business with a strong commercial focus to grow sales in both the local and international markets. Allison S Adams-Witbooi, a former winemaker at Stellenbosch Wine Services, has agreed to form a 50/50 partnership with the Company to grow the brand and take it in a new direction.
Allison S. Adams-Witbooi has demonstrated considerable leadership capabilities and an entrepreneurial spirit while employed at Stellenbosch Vineyards and its Board felt that her demonstrated enthusiasm and personality are key in her steering Kumkani to new heights. In addition, her winemaking background is an important capability in dealing with wine buyers, consumers and the media.
Allison graduated from the University of Stellenbosch with a degree in BSc Agriculture, after majoring in Viticulture and
Oenology. As a qualified winemaker, she has an extensive background in working in the wine industry.
She completed harvest seasons at Rustenberg, Groote Post and Hartenberg, and worked in cellars and tasting venues while still a student. After graduation, she also worked for The Winery of Good Hope, Meinert Wines and Wines of South Africa (WOSA). Stints overseas at wineries in Northern Italy and the South of
France gave her some insight into the international wine scene. She was appointed at Stellenbosch Vineyards in 2009.
The company of wine people is one of South Africa's top wine producers and the country's fifth largest packaged wine exporter
bringing 80% of our volume to markets around the globe with the rest sold locally.
Our head office is based at Welmoed, a wine farm originating back to 1690. It is a public company though not listed.
We are members of the SA Liquor Bottlers Association (SALBA) and Wines of South Africa (WOSA)
The venture is called Kumkani Wines and it is being operated as a division Stellenbosch Vineyards, who serves as a mentor to Allison. Allison is, supported by the Company, responsible for all sales and marketing and be the primary face of the brand to wine buyers, consumers, industry bodies and the media.
OUR PEOPLE
Our key resource is our people, their passion for our brands and wine drinkers who have pride in what we are and what we do in building sustainable business partnerships with suppliers, distributors and customers in the pursuit of performance excellence and profit.