Darwin wine specialist Darryl Thomas uncorks new way of doing business

DARWIN fine wine specialist Darryl Thomas hasn’t let the impacts of the coronavirus on the hospitality industry hold him back, instead starting a new online business – Liquor Down Under NT.

Darwin fine wine specialist Darryl Thomas has launched a new online business – Liquor Down Under NT. Picture: Che Chorley

DARWIN fine wine specialist Darryl Thomas hasn’t let the impacts of the coronavirus on the hospitality industry hold him back.

Mr Thomas readily admits that his niche market business, supplying Territory restaurants, cafes and liquor stores with premium products sourced from around the country and around the globe, has taken a virus hit.

But that’s led to him starting a new online business – Liquor Down Under NT.

“Given the state of affairs caused by coronavirus I have turned to the online and local deliveries business,” said Mr Thomas, who has launched his new Liquor Down Under NT website with little fanfare.

“This is not a website intended to compete with the people I supply, rather it is to provide a Territory alternative to all those interstate wine clubs and keeping it local.”

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Visitors to the website looking for difference will find exactly that, with a rich supply of boutique wines, beers and spirits.

“I’m happy with the way the website has come up and the brands I am offering will continue to grow,” he said.

“Potentially there eventually could be 500 products on there.”

“Right now I have a couple of hundred wine products on there. There is beer and spirits as well.”

Mr Thomas said with more than half of his business being the Territory’s restaurant industry, growth in other areas was forced on him.

“It’s about keeping the dream alive,” he said.

That dream started in 2002, when he and wife Darlene Chin founded their wholesale wine and food distribution business, Thomas Chin Pty Ltd.

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They are leaders in providing wines not normally found in Darwin’s large nationally branded liquor outlets.

They are also the only local wine wholesaler to store in a temperature-controlled environment, ensuring their wines are delivered in the best possible condition.

For more details, visit https://liquordownunder.com/.