Partner Article

Restaurant manager launches wine business

An experienced manager at a top Birmingham restaurant has launched a wine importing business in the UK.

Daniel Kruger, who is the restaurant and bar manager at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill at The Cube, has set-up Home of Cape Wines with financial advice from Midlands-wide Baldwins Accountants.

Daniel bought 174 acres of land in Wellington, South Africa, at a wine farm to develop cabernet sauvignon and sauvignon blanc for the Marco Pierre White Group and hotels across the globe.

He has taken on the role of marketing and distribution in the UK to build on the contacts he has built-up while working at Hotel La Tour in Birmingham, Celtic Manor Resort in Wales and Eastwell Manor Hotel, Spa & Golf in Kent before joining the Marco Pierre White Group.

Daniel said Home of Cape Wines was an exciting business venture which had been made much easier by the support and advice he has received from Baldwins Accountants.

“Marco is planning to open 50 more restaurants in the next five years and we have launched five already this year,” he said.

“I am currently involved in the launch of hotels in London, Scotland, Australia and Asia so it is great to be able to create a beautiful wine pool for hotel guests throughout the world including the Marco Pierre White Group.

“At Home of Cape Wines we source our wines from different regions in the western cape from the cooler climate on the coast for sauvignon blanc to the sunnier temperatures for shiraz.

“The response from people who have tasted our wine has been really encouraging because everybody loves it and in the future we hope to launch rose, pinot grigio and shiraz in the UK.

“I have always had a keen interest in the wine we serve at the restaurants I have worked at and I have built up many contacts in the hotel industry which has been vital in getting the business off the ground as well as the input of Baldwins Accountants.

“They have helped to drive me forward in spreading the word about my business venture and searching for potential investors as well as looking after my accounts.”

David Baldwin, a partner at Baldwins Accountants in Ventura Park Road, Tamworth, said Daniel was involved in all aspects of Home of Cape Wines which was natural for a start-up business.

“Daniel has plenty of contacts in the hotel sector which is already reaping rewards for his importing wine business as he looks at all routes to build business,” he said.

“But launching a new business can be a daunting prospect which is why it is important to gain professional accountancy advice to make sure your financial budgets and forecasts are realistic as well as day-to-day budgets are managed correctly.

“This then leaves entrepreneurs like Daniel the time to concentrate on the aspects that they flourish at which, in the long-term, will be vital in securing new orders.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Matt Joyce .