Our Team

We have a small but dedicated team of twenty-five people, who are committed towards ensuring that you receive all the assistance you require with selecting the perfect bottle of wine to accompany your meal, or, the aperitif with which to watch the sun set on our beautiful islands. Enjoy!

Managing Director

Liam Hindle is the Managing Director of the Company that he  first established 20 years ago on Victoria Parade, Suva.  His initial career as a geologist mapping Vanua Levu and the islands of Northern Fiji has served him well in his understanding of ‘terroir’. Over the years he has established himself as Fiji’s most knowledgeable wine expert, writing articles for local magazines and newspapers on request, as well as leading numerous Winemaker Dinners and Wine Tastings.

His sense of humour and passion for the product is well captured in the Company tagline – ‘We love it, We drink it, We sell it’. 

   

CEO & Director

Kate Vusoniwailala's background has been in the cultural sector for the past 20 years, working as a Museum Director. She has recently taken up responsibility for managing the strategic development of the Company, which is currently expanding at a rapid rate, illustrating the increasing appreciation and enjoyment of fine wines in Fiji.

The Victoria Wines focus on quality with the importation of many fine wines from all over the world has led to a natural alliance with the arts, either through a direct link to cuisine or through a broader relationship with the arts. The company now focuses its sponsorships and partnerships in this area of ‘Food & Wine’ and ‘Culture & the Arts’.

 

 

GM BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Hamish Black joins the Victoria Wines team from New Zealand to lead some exciting new projects planned for the coming year. He has a background in law and business having worked in both government and the private sector in New Zealand.

Hamish has completed his Wine & Spirit education Trust Level 1 & 2 and spent many years working in the food and beverage service industry. He has a passion for anything to do with the ocean, surfing, SUP-ing and sailing whenever he can. 

 

 

MARKETING EXECUTIVE

Emma Faletoese who previously managed product & sales analytics and assisted us with providing excellent services to customers and suppliers has now taken the role of Marketing Executive. Emma also coordinates all visits for winery representatives, wine activations and the training of our customers. She has successfully completed her Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 1 & 2.

 

Sales Manager 

Poonam Patel recently joined our team as a Sales Manager looking after our extensive range of non-wine products such as the Bacardi-Martini portfolio, Corona Beer, East Imperial Mixers, Antipodes & many more. She also works closely with our trade customers providing support in product training & events. 

 

  

GM National Operation

Khem Chand is the Company’s GM National Operations. This involves receiving all imported goods into our bonded warehouse, distribution to all our retail outlets and ongoing stock management and control. He also works closely with our Managing Director around wine orders and pricing.

Our commitment to quality extends beyond our selection of product to the ongoing careful management of wine in our warehouses and retail shops in carefully controlled environments to ensure the quality and experience of the product through to the first enjoyable sip!

 

Assistant GM National Operations

Trista Marr manages our Nadi bonded warehouse which involves receiving all imported goods as well as dispatching Duty Free orders from them. She also oversees the distribution to all our trade customers. As Victoria Wines is the only dedicated wine importer and distributor, we have developed a broad portfolio of wines from all the key wine growing regions of the world. We ensure the appropriate care and handling of our stock to ensure that all our trade customers receive their supplies in good order.

Fiji is starting to build a good reputation for ‘food & wine’ and Victoria Wines works closely with customers to support them with developing a balanced Wine List and other wine activations. Trista successfully completed her Wine & Spirit Education Trust Level 1.

 

GM Finance & HR

Mohammed Nazim is the Group Manager Finance and HR for all our sister companies including our Matrix hospitality business, Fiji's only craft brewery, Reef Brewing Company and our Business Centre and Administration Company, Mantra. He works closely with the Victoria Wines team on budgets and sales targets, liaises with all of our suppliers on payments and with wholesale customers on receivables.

As you can imagine, the fact that we import wines from all the key wine growing regions of the world, provides for an interesting day's work for the leader of our financial team.