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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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, 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.
©Copyright WINECRAFT REGINA © 2023. All Rights Reserved.
Developed by Wow Factor Media.