In September, Meridian Wine Merchants celebrates 25 years of sales, marketing and distribution of a premium portfolio of South African wine brands.
Meridian was founded on 19 September 1997 by Johann Laubser and Alex Dale of Longridge Winery as a distribution company for their own wines as well as a collection of other local and international wines.
A year later, the company was acquired by Gavin Dittmar, the current CEO, who along with his business partners, has progressively built an eco-system of companies servicing the wine sector under the Meridian Holdings group that encompasses wine focussed sales, marketing, distribution, training and education, winery software and business support services.
“We have a powerful leadership team who are committed to the growth and sustainability of not only our own company, but also the industry as a whole,” says Gavin.
Gavin Dittmar, CEO of Meridian Wine Merchants.
“After the extreme challenges we have endured over the last few years, we are optimistic about the future of premium wine in South Africa and the role we can play in the success of our producers as well as our trade customers.”
Today, the company represent 41 of the Cape’s most prestigious wine brands, as well as two Champagne houses, with a full national footprint in the domestic market as well as coverage in 13 countries in Africa. Distribution includes broad-based retail, wholesale and hospitality customers with a particular focus on the on- consumption channel.
Building brands and relationships with trade through a mutual passion for South African wine is at the heart of the company’s culture. “We aim to be the best wine company in South Africa, and we believe that we have the best people, best brands and best service offering to meet the expectations of our producers, trade customers and wine lovers,” says managing director, Shane Allchin.
“We look forward to continuing this support with excellence at every step into the future.”
Meridian managing director, Shane Allchin.
About Meridian Wine Merchants
The company connects its portfolio of premium wines with people to add to their enjoyment of life while building a sustainable future for our brands and our company.
Meridian believes its greatest asset is its people. “We promise to ensure that we have the best people connecting the best brands in our premium wine portfolio with the best service for our clients, customers and consumers. ”
“At Meridian, we are a team of dedicated people, committed to the excellent brands that we represent with a focused approach to wine sales, marketing and distribution. We take pride in our excellent service levels and aim to meet the needs of our customers at all times. We strive to always be innovative, creative and visionary, ensuring that we remain leaders in the wine industry.
Most importantly. Meridian must be a great company to work for and it must always be a pleasure to do business with us,” says Gavin Dittmar, group chief executive officer at Meridian.
Meridian: History Timeline
1997 Meridian Wine Merchants was founded on 19 September 1997 by Johann Laubser and Alex Dale of Longridge Winery as a distribution company for their wines, as well as a selection of other local and international wines in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
1998 Meridian Wine Merchants, operating as a wine distribution business in Gauteng only, was acquired by Gavin Dittmar on 1 November 1998.
1999 Solly Kramer joined as a partner in July, followed by Historic Wines of the Cape owned by Hanneli Rupert-Koegelenberg and Anthonij Rupert, who acquired 50% of Meridian Wine Merchants in November 1999.
2000 Meridian Wine Merchants Cape franchise was created in Cape Town. Meridian Wine Merchants Coastal franchise was created in Durban.
2001 Meridian Wine Merchants Garden Route franchise was created in Port Elizabeth
2006 Meridian Wine Merchants acquired 50% of the wine distribution business, Liquid Assets.
2007 The ‘Cool Wines’ temperature controlled distribution concept was launched.
2009 All regional franchises as well as Liquid Assets were merged and three separate companies were created:
– Meridian Holdings (holding company, management & services)
– Meridian Wine Merchants (sales & marketing)
– Cool Wines (logistics & operations)
The shareholding was restructured. Hein Koegelenberg and Cobus De Villiers acquired shares, while Solly Kramer sold his shares.
We were awarded the Business day Best Wine Company award.
2011 The national sales team was restructured from an individual brand sales and marketing approach to area specific portfolio representation and national key account management aligned to industry best practice and improved service to our clients and customers.
2013 We were awarded a PMR Africa Diamond Arrow Award for the first overall distributor and marketer in the category of wine, spirits and other beverages in a random survey of 145 trade customers.
2014 We received the PMR Diamond Arrow and first overall distributor and marketer award in the category of wine, spirits and other beverages for the second year.
2015 For the third consecutive year, we received the PMR Diamond Arrow and first overall distributor and marketer award in the category of wine, spirits and other beverages.
2016 We received the PMR Diamond Arrow Award and first overall distributor and marketer in the category of wine, spirits and other beverages for the fourth consecutive year.
2017 Meridian Wine Merchants celebrate 20 years of business and we received the PMR Diamond Arrow Award and first overall distributor and marketer in the category of wine, spirits and other beverages for the fifth consecutive year.
2018 It’s our 21st Birthday and we are delighted to celebrate another PMR Diamond Arrow Award and first overall distributor and marketer in the category of wine, spirits and other beverages for another consecutive year. That’s every year since 2013!
2019 We receive another PMR Diamond Arrow Award and first overall distributor and marketer in the category of wine, spirits and other beverages for the seventh consecutive year.
Shane Allchin is appointed as our Managing Director and Gavin Dittmar becomes Group Chief Executive Officer.
Cool Wines (Pty) Ltd changes its company name to Meridian Wine Distribution (Pty) Ltd. in October 2019. Meridian Wine Distribution will continue with exactly the same service as Cool Wines as the distributor for Meridian Wine Merchants, Craft Liquor Merchants and Epicurean Wines.
Meridian Collective Europe is established – a South African company working in the Netherlands with consultants Marita de Beer and Cathy Moerdijk.
2020 Meridian Collective Europe partner with Your Wine Partner to bring a South African wine portfolio, beer and gin to the Netherlands. Marita de Beer continues as our consultant and Lise Chapelier relocates from South Africa to join the team.
Click here to get your copy of WineLand Magazine and here to subscribe to our newsletter.
