About - Wine Craft Regina

Winecraft History

1970

Wine Kitz franchise stores

Wine Kitz franchise opened one retail location in Regina and later purchased Wine Mine These were franchise run stores and sold wine kits and wine making supplies.

2005

Dave and Leona purchase stores

In 2005, Dave and Leona purchased the Wine Kitz franchise locations in Regina. Dave operated the stores with Don Bischop as the manager of the east location. The stores continued to sell wine kits and wine making supplies.

2009

Uvint approved into legislation

Dave was instrumental in the development of the uvint legislation that was approved in Saskatchewan. The stores renovated to create space for an on-site winery and bottling area at each store location. The in-store winery has been a key component of the business since and has evolved to also making beer and cider for customers. In addition, the stores began to offer artificial carbonation for products.

2016

Ali and Darren buy stores

In 2016, Alison and Darren Watson purchased the stores from Alison’s parents. Alison operates the two store locations with Don Bischop and Nicole Strelic providing day to day support as store managers.

2020

Rebrand to Winecraft

In 2020, Alison rebranded the stores to Winecraft. This allowed for clarity in the market as the Wine Kitz franchise was no longer in operation. At this time, Alison also began to offer the WinExpert product line in the stores.

Winecraft Regina

At Winecraft Regina, we are passionate about our business and our customers. We give you an individual welcome into our stores, and it is our pleasure to answer any questions you may have. Whether you are a seasoned winemaker or a curious beginner, we are here to assist you in choosing the wine that will best meet your taste. We are proud of our reputation as Regina’s premiere provider of outstanding wine kits and beer kits; as well as a wide range of other unique products. We have built this reputation for quality products and outstanding customer service, one customer at a time.

Alison and Darren both love to travel and have had the pleasure of travelling to almost every continent. This has helped them develop an excellent knowledge of wines from various regions of the world, which has driven their own passion for wine making. Learning about wines and new foods is a passion of both Alison and Darren. They both love to cook and experiment with new foods, wines and flavours. And cooking is always better with wine!

Regina’s two Winecraft locations are owned and operated by Alison and Darren Watson. Alison has a business degree and experience in the banking and credit union sectors. Darren has an MBA, and has spent his career building businesses in different industries from farming to polyurethanes and was the Saskatchewan Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year in 2005. Our stores have also been Wine Kitz Franchise Partners of the Year for 2009, proud recipients of the Paragon Award for the UVint/UBrew for 2010, and Paragon Finalist for Marketing in 2021.

Wine making today allows customers to make wines that are similar in quality to commercial wines. You will find only top-quality wine kits and ingredients in-store, and because of this, everything is guaranteed. Alison and the staff believe they have a partnership with their customers, and they are responsible for making sure you choose products that will meet your tastes.

Both Winecraft stores have been built to accommodate U-Vint/U-Brew services.
This allows customers to produce their own wine kit at our retail store, rather than at home. “We do the heavy work,” says Alison. “The customer assists with starting the wine and at the end, they assist with the bottling process. Then it’s time to take their wine or beer home and enjoy it.”

Alison and Darren attribute the success of Winecraft locally to several factors: knowledgeable staff, superior customer service and the business’s support of the community. The company donates time, product and expertise to many local charities and organizations. “We pride ourselves on outstanding customer service,” says Alison. Come in to your nearest Winecraft store and discover the value and service for yourself. We look forward to serving you!

Don Bischop

Manager | Prince of Wales Drive

Don Bischop, Store Manager for our Regina East location, has been involved in the wine kit retail business for over 30 years. He started with a local store and then moved to the Wine Mine franchise which was later purchased by Wine Kitz. Don has managed the east location for over 18 years and has a wealth of knowledge for all levels of wine makers. Don is also our resident expert on all things regarding home-made fruit wines, beer making and spirits. He is very focused on ensuring that Winecraft customers are choosing wines that meet their needs and tastes.

Nicole Strelic

Manager | Rochdale Boulevard

Nicole Strelic, Store Manager for our Regina North location, has been making wine and beer with her husband for over 20 years. As their children grew, Nicole found herself interested in being part of the Winecraft team and joined our team in 2014. Nicole’s knowledge of wines and the wine making process make her an excellent resource for any questions our customers might have about the right wine for them, or trouble shooting through the wine making process when necessary. She is very focused on ensuring that Winecraft customers are choosing wines that meet their needs and tastes. With her Commerce degree and eye for marketing, her experience has assisted in developing the Winecraft business and the strong team of part time staff as well.

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