Archard Kato
CEO/Chief Vintner
Archard Kato is our Chief Vintner. Archard is passionate about winemaking and has been in the business of winemaking for over 30 years. He is the founder of Alko Vintages Company and the brain behind most of our brands. Archard’s business acumen and his enviable ability to design simple solutions for complex problems gives him an edge over other corporate leaders.
An accomplished Process Engineer (an Alumnus of the University of Dar es salaam), Archard’s passion for winemaking started in the late eighties. He first interacted with grapes and learned about winemaking, while working as a researcher at Makutupora Viticultural Research Centre, where he also honed his skills in vinification. He later trained in wine making at the state institute of viticulture and wine making in Veitshochheim, Wuezubury in Germany. He further studied tropical wine making at the Institute of Food, Research and production development at Katsert University in Thailand and short-courses in accredited wineries in South Africa and Italy.
Frank Kato
Cellar Master
Frank Kato is a savvy winemaker. At the age of 28, Frank has mastered the art of winemaking, inspired by the unpredictability of the vinification process and the creative art of the trade. Frank describes himself as a problem solver, who is fascinated by physics and the science of processes.
An Alumni of the University of Manitoba in Canada, Frank has over the last five years honed his skills in winemaking, driven by an innate desire to create distinctive blends of wine that bear a unique African signature.
Frank’ role at Alko Vintages is to oversee the wine ageing process, manage the fermentation and accurately preserve the wine until it is ready for the market.
Sweetbertha Rwabizi
Head of Marketing | Strategic Brand Leader | FMCG Marketing Specialist
Sweetbertha Rwabizi is a dynamic marketing professional with over 7 years of experience leading brand growth, product strategy, and market expansion in the wine and spirits industry. As Head of Marketing at Alko Vintages Co. Ltd., she drives the development and execution of innovative campaigns that elevate brand visibility and unlock new commercial opportunities across East Africa.
Her expertise spans strategic marketing, brand development, campaign management, and customer engagement — all honed through years of hands-on leadership in one of Tanzania’s most recognized wine companies. Sweetbertha has been instrumental in revitalizing legacy brands such as Dompo, For You, and St. Mary, and in launching heritage-driven labels like Kolo and Tembe that reflect Tanzania’s cultural identity.
She has successfully led Alko Vintages’ entry into regional markets including Kenya and Uganda, orchestrated both ATL and BTL campaigns, and secured major brand placements such as the in-flight wine listing with Air Tanzania. Under her leadership, the company has consistently grown its share of voice and market penetration through creative storytelling, digital transformation, and community-rooted brand positioning.
Frida Kato
Business Analyst
Frida Kato is our Business Analyst, responsible for conducting market analyses – both product lines and the overall profitability of the business. Frida’s love for data has been a great asset in the growth of Alko vintages, as she has been able to develop and monitor data quality metrics that have ensured our business and reporting needs are met.
She holds a Master’s degree (MSc) Economics, Finance and Management from the University of University Of Bristol – Bristol, United Kingdom. She graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree (B.A) Hons in Business Management from the University Of Bedfordshire – Bedford, also in United Kingdom. Elsewhere, she attended high-level trainings in Italy and South Africa, mainly around in wine around oenology practices.
Hilda Kato
General Manager
Hilda is our General Manager, responsible for the overall health and operation of the company. She oversees all administrative and commercial functions at Alko vintages. A soft-spoken, yet firm business leader, Hilda’s dexterity in executing sustainable business practices is what has propelled Alko Vintages to where it is today.
She holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Business Information Technology from Greenwich University in the United kingdom. Hilda’s passion for winemaking was easily sparked at Alko Vintages, when she joined the team to streamline management processes of the company. Since then, she has undergone various trainings in winemaking and administration of wineries; including studying Management and Business Development courses in South Africa and China and later, undertaking a Business of Wine specialists training in Italy. She is tech savvy and has Certification in Microsoft Database Administration from Delhi, India.
Franklin Rutayungulwa
Head of Production
Franklin Rutayungulwa heads our production team. Franklin holds an Advanced Diploma in software engineering but with a great passion for agricultural value addition. He developed a passion for winemaking when he joined Alko Vintages at the start of his career. He has worked under Mr.Lourens Smith a South African winemaker and consultant.
At Alko Vintages. Franklin has had training in several South African wineries in bottling and storage of wines.
Alicia Kato
Head of Quality Control
Alicia Kato is a young and dynamic quality assurance master. Alicia has a knack for product excellence. She heads the quality control division of the business, and is responsible for ensuring the winemaking process is not only fool proof, but also conforms to the global vinification standards.
An Environmental Science and Management Graduate from Ardhi University in Dar es Salaam, Alicia has made her career in Quality Assurance even more robust, by after taking up Laboratory Technology studies in South Africa’s major wineries and laboratories. She is meticulous in her quality control work and does not let anything pass without complete analysis and satisfaction.
Alicia is a valuable asset at Alko Vintages and provides leadership on the quality process as well as laboratory management.