Now we are six! - The Darling Wine Shop
The Darling Wine Shop l Blog l Now we are six!
Olivia10:22 amNovember 17th, 2017
It was in November 2011 that the Darling Wine Shop first opened its doors but having worked on the producer side of wine for some 30 years prior to this, and still with an involvement therein, the experience of “retail” has been an interesting journey indeed.
Shop-keeping today is about being open when people want to shop, Sundays to Mondays, so the hours are also somewhat unforgiving. But when one reflects on what makes one tick, it is definitely a great deal about the people who are part of life at the Wine Shop!
Suppliers – we have such a wonderful relationship with the wineries that stock our shelves. As an absolute “in addition” to their own cellar door outlets, we are as excited about their wines as they are.
Staff – Ida who runs the shop is a regional treasure, as are the part time staff who fill in gaps and give their time over weekends. All convey the very ethos of what we are about and reflect not only the “taste” of Darling but the very spirit of this little town.
Customers – there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a customer walk out the door with a half dozen (or more!) assorted Darling wines. Nothing like a few bottles of what you know, and a few “new” ones with which to become acquainted. Above all we are blessed in having the most interesting and interested people visiting the Darling Wine Shop – and with a layout and ethos that welcomes interaction, we have had the most amazing conversations and made many friends.
Dit was November 2011 toe die Darling Wine Shop die heel eerste keer sy deure geopen het. Ná sowat dertig jaar ervaring vooraf aan die produsentekant van die besigheid – en steeds daarin betrokke – was die ervaring in die “kleinhandel” werklik ‘n interessante stuk lewensreis.
Om in ons tyd ‘n winkel te bedryf, moet jou deure oopstaan wanneer mense hulle inkopies wil doen – Sondae tot Maandae – en die werksure is dus straf. Maar as ‘n mens die slag nadink oor die dinge wat vir jou saak maak, dan is dit bepaald grotendeels die mense wat die lewe in die Darling Wine Shop met jou deel!
Verskaffers – ons geniet ‘n merkwaardige verhouding met die wynprodusente wat ons rakke van voorraad voorsien. Aangesien ons ‘n verlengstuk is van hulle eie kelderdeure is ons net so gaande oor hulle wyne as wat hulle self is.
Personeel – Ida, wat die winkel bedryf, is ‘n juweel in ons kontrei en dit is ook waar van die deeltydse personeel wat soms waarneem en vir ons tyd afstaan oor naweke. Almal dra die egte etos oor van ons bedrywighede en hulle dra nie alleen die “smaak” van Darling oor nie maar die lewensgees van ons dorp.
Klante – Daar is eenvoudig niks wat ons meer bevredig nie as om te sien dat ‘n klant die deur uitstap met ‘n halfdosyn (dalk selfs meer!) bottels met ‘n verskeidenheid van Darling se wyne. Daar is ‘n paar bottels reeds bekende wyne en nog ‘n paar “nuwes” waarmee jy nog gaan kennis maak. Bowenal is ons geseënd deurdat sulke interessante, belangstellende mense die Darling Wine Shop besoek; en met ons winkeluitleg en ‘n etos wat interaksie verwelkom, het ons al van die allerstimulerendste gesprekke geniet en vele vriendskappe gesluit.