Our Global Team
Heidrun Bebendorf
Partner Europe
heidrun@stella.wine
Tel: +49 157 88088 144
Heidrun had a classic education as Import – and Export-Merchant in Hamburg, Germany, and has worked in the wine trade for close to 35 years:
importer of German and Italian wines into the UK
owner of a fine wine shop in Hamburg
starting a wine import business in Australia supplying a major retailer and discounter
working as an export manager for her family’s bottling company in Germany where she was also responsible for contract bottling.
Her vast experience in different areas of the wine trade, dealing with AAA retailers and suppliers make her a versatile partner with a deep understanding of customers’ requirements.
At STELLA, she is looking after European buying requirements, arranging contract bottling and supporting you with private label projects.
Emile
Gentis
Partner Africa & Middle East
emile@stella.wine
+27 (0) 722 381703
Emile is a qualified winemaker and has been working for some leading wine and spirit brand companies and brokers across the globe. He specialises in business – and new product development projects, in combination with his winemaking knowledge.
Emile’s combined current portfolio & projects of brands across the globe, has positioned him in an unique position to understand the different dynamics of the supply and value chains, from the consumer trends, retailer, bottler, logistical partner, supplier and ultimately the grape grower and their key stakeholders.
His vast experience and presence in wine and non-alcoholic categories has established real, trustworthy and long term relationships among key stakeholders in the wine and liquor industry.
Emile is fluent in Afrikaans, Dutch and English and based in Durbanville, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. At STELLA, he will source all bulk and bottled wines from South Africa for the global market and discuss any other new product development projects for Africa & Middle East.
Steve
Saffioti
Partner – Australia / NZ
steve@stella.wine
Tel: +61 0458 805 777
Steve is a commercially astute wine industry professional with over 20 years’ experience working with grape growers, wineries and wine retail partners. He is CPA qualified and has held Executive / Director roles with some of the largest fully integrated wine companies in Australia.
Throughout his career he has developed a thorough understanding of the intricacies required to manage bulk wine inventory in today’s global market. His extensive operational and commercial experience has enabled him to develop a detailed appreciation of the opportunities and challenges faced in the wine sector.
Aside from being passionate about wine, he specialises in the formation of innovative strategies and the creation of new business opportunities. He enjoys building trusted business relationships and delivering real value to clients.
At STELLA, he is responsible for managing bulk wine trading activities in Australia and New Zealand.
David
Kingsbury
Partner South America
david@stella.wine
+54 9261 454 33 99
David is a qualified winemaker and also holds a Masters in Wine Business (Adelaide). He has vast experience in the world wide industry, having held technical and management positions throughout Australia, Asia and Europe.
In the last 20 years, David has been mostly based in South America, where he has been involved in the industries in Chile and Argentina, and even Bolivia and Uruguay. David has a love for this industry, with its different cultural and geographical influences. Not only does David have a vast knowledge of the industry and its individual players, he also has a great empathy for the producers and the needs of the clients, and likes nothing more to build mutually constructive relationships.
David can be contacted any time by any media and is fluent in English, Spanish and French.
