Family Established,
Family Operated
since 1918
Who we are
An independent family run business for over 70 years
Our business is to keep your business in business.
A small but effective team offering dedicated service excellence with the type of hands on approach an independent family operated concern manages so well.
We offer regular product deliveries throughout Kwa-Zulu Natal. Our portfolio includes Imported and Local Spirits, Fortified Wines, Spring Water, Spirit Coolers, Cordials, Water and a select range of Cape Wines, covering most geographical areas and grape varietals.
Our Story
John Booth Snr. Founder of Monk & Booth Bottle Store at the end of WW1
John Booth senior (also a foundation member of the Durban Country Club) founded Monk & Booth Bottle Store just after World War 1 with other key relatives. Monk & Booth was the very first walk-in bottle store in Durban! All previous alcohol sales were conducted from behind a counter.
At that time Natal Wine Merchants was a wholly owned subsidiary of Monk & Booth Bottle Store, (ergo our 'Monk' logo icon) and was originally established for bottling and wholesale distribution of white spirits, cane and vodka. In 1950 Natal Wine Merchants became a member of the Durban Chamber of Commerce.
On his death in 1955, John Booth's sons Brewer and Barry continued the business started by their father. In 1986, the youngest son of Barry Booth (another John Booth), joined the family business. Brewer Booth retired and the bottle store was sold.
On the death of his father in 1993, John became the Managing Member of Natal Wine Merchants, a position he still holds today.
Barry Booth continued the family business with his brother Brewer.
ALWAYS ORIGINAL
Keeping to its long traditions, Natal Wine Merchants are still in their original premises on the Berea. The company supplies a broad spectrum of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to the retail and licenced liquor trade. Until just a few years ago, KwaZulu-Natal was not known as a province in which much wines was consumed. Natal Wine Merchants can proudly say they played a major part in promoting the drinking of fine South African produced wines in KwaZulu-Natal. A pioneer in bringing wine drinking to Natalians, Natal Wine Merchants became the first distributor for many now well-known Cape Wine Estates and Wineries such as Simonsvlei, Backsberg, Swartland, Rustenberg, Simonsig and Mooiuitzicht. Many of these historic wines are still distributed through Natal Wine Merchants, although the total portfolio offering has been extended comprehensively to cater for new consumption trends.
The portfolio includes imported and local spirits, Fortified Wines, Spring Water, Spirit Coolers, Cocktails, Cordials and many other products.
Originally the core customer base of Natal Wine Merchants was the Independent Bottle Store retail trade, but with on-going re-alignment of liquor laws, a strategic move was made to extend the company’s customer base to include the On-Consumption trade in its many forms in addition to selected top-end grocers.
We pride ourselves on being able to provide service excellence due to flexibility and hands-on approach that a small dedicated family business can provide, and with a product portfolio covering many liquor categories.
Meet The Team
