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 Operations 

 

Sweetbertha Rwabizi is the cog of the company’s operations. Sweetbertha is in charge of coordinating all teams to ensure seamless execution of all processes within the company.

Her dexterity and undying discipline is what keeps Alko Vintages on a progressive path.

A Human Resource Management professional, with a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in HRM from the University of Dodoma, Sweetbertha’s belief in continuous improvement and operational efficiency has positively influenced the Alko Vintage work culture over the last five years.  She enhanced her proficiency through various trainings in general winemaking and operational strategy in accredited wineries in CapeTown and Italy and Human Capital Management in Johannesburg.

Her love for wine was sparked by a desire to work in a business that contributes to sustainable growth; which agro-industry provides.

 

Hellen Kasege

Quality Control Analysis

Hellen Kasege is our Quality Control Analyst, tasked with ensuring our products meet the highest quality standards. Hellen has a great passion for winemaking and can easily described as most enthusiastic and charming business executive. She holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Food Science and Technology from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Morogoro Tanzania. Over the years, Hellen as mastered her trade in winemaking through special trainings such as Quality Control Masterclasses among other opportunities overseas.  She has also attended a training on Wine Quality at Roodezandt Winery in South Africa. Hellen’s knack for quality combined with an undying passion, industry and agility is what sets her apart.

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Virginia Adolf

Head of Marketing

 

Virginia Adolf is our marketing guru.  A soft spoken and calculative marketer, Virginia is the custodian of the Alko Vintage brand and the chief ambassador of all our wine brands.

Her passion for wine was ignited in 2017 when she joined Alko Vintages as a field officer.  Throughout her career at Alko Vintages, Virginia has been instrumental in deepening the company’s influence and driving market preference for Alko Vintages Products. Participation in both local and international wine exhibitions has enhanced her ability to drive Excellency in product and brand management.

 

 

 

 

 

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.