Putting the sparkle into winemaking: Thembi Tobie and the success of Thembi & Co Wines

‘I love my wine!’, says Thembi Tobie, the passionate woman behind Thembi & Co Wines, a joint venture with Boland Kelder in the winemaking mecca of South Africa; the Western Cape.

Thembi Tobie was never a wine maker. She is a creative entrepreneur with flair who never says no to an opportunity. She is also a wine enthusiast who didn’t hesitate “to soak it all up, meeting the right people at the right time, tasting wines and visiting wine auctions” in order to turn her label into a success. Originally trained as a nurse, she worked as a marketing executive for a wine company and studied through the Wine Management Programme at Stellenbosch University before launching her own label.

Partnering up with an already established winery, Thembi Tobie used its expertise to conquer the market.

It has not always been an easy road and the wine connoisseur had to face obstacles and issues which, at the end, helped her to learn about essential keystones of entrepreneurial success like supply consistency, technical and logistical support, and having the right partners with sufficient capital to finance the business in the start-up phase.

South Africa’s wine industry is 300 years-old and is primarily based in the Western Cape, an area blessed by a Mediterranean climate, slopes and valleys which is ideal for the growth of wine grapes. The industry produces 3.6% of the world’s wine and is ranked at number six in overall volume production (2006 figures).

Thembi Tobie turned her part-time passion into a full-time profession, exporting internationally and making sure that her brand reflects positive, responsible ethics. The company offers a bursary scheme where they support the studies of talented individuals from previously disadvantaged communities. In addition, Thembi Wines also support the Outreach Programme to farming communities.

Thembi Tobie became a successful entrepreneur by reinventing herself, understanding the power of partnering up with the right people and following your dreams without compromising your values.

For more information on Thembi Wines visit  http://www.thembiwines.co.za/

If you would like to learn more about doing business in the Western Cape, contact WESGRO, the Western Cape Investment and Trade Promotion Agency of South Africa:  http://www.wesgro.co.za/

Interested in studying Wine Management or oenology? Have a look at:

Stellenbosch University
http://academic.sun.ac.za/agric/departments/dww-iwbt_eng.html

Cape Institute for Agricultural Training
http://www.elsenburg.com/ciat.html

The Cape Wine Academy
http://www.capewineacademy.co.za/

The Agri Academy
http://www.agriacademy.co.za/