SOUTH TO SOUTH WINE IMPORTERS - Key Persons

Melita von Bentheim

Job Titles:
  • Business Partner, Based in Cape Town, South Africa
Melita was born on the island of Korčula, Croatia and grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a lawyer who lives and works in Cape Town. Melita's career started as an international trade & transport attorney, from where she moved to become senior in-house counsel to multi-national South African retail group, Woolworths, before starting her own boutique commercial consultancy in 2018. Her favorite wine? Rose! And her favorite music? "Anything that makes you move." Joie de vivre, style and positive energy are her hallmarks.

Pilar Wine Brokers

Before becoming the managing partner of Pilar Wine Brokers, based in Jackson MS, he spent fifteen years with MGM Resorts, working in Las Vegas, Biloxi, and Washington DC. Before that, he was recruited to create an import sales division for a growing distributor in Virginia. He joined The Country Vintner in 2001 as the director of Australian and New Zealand estates. This opportunity allowed him to work as an importer, distributor, and marketing agent creating brand concepts, labels, and sales strategies that are still used today. He helped grow this business from a small regional company to one of the largest wine companies in the USA, now known as Winebow.

Stephanie Jacko

Job Titles:
  • Administration & Logistics, Based in New Orleans, Louisiana
Hailing from Indiana, Stephanie moved to New Orleans in 2017. She has a degree in film from Ball State University and holds a bartender's license in Louisiana. Has worked previously in film production, wine retail, a rock school and as a logistics manager. Stephanie is responsible for managing our warehouse, logistics and office administration.

Suzaan Laing

Job Titles:
  • Founder Owner, Based in New Orleans, Louisiana
Love for both New Orleans and Cape Town, and a passion for South African wine, led to the founding of South To South Wine Importers to share quality of South African wine with wine drinkers in the southern states of the US. Lawyer by profession for 25 years, licensed in both South Africa and Louisiana, and graduate of Stellenbosch and Tulane Universities.