François Cillié is the International Marketing Manager for Stark-Condé & Man Family Wines. He has had six years of sales and marketing experience on all the major international wine markets (Europe, USA, Canada, Australasia, Asia, Middle East and Africa), and another five years on the South African market. He was also heavily involved in the local retail sector for two years.
François’s first job was as manager for Caroline’s Fine Wine Cellar from 2002 to 2004. This was followed by an eight-year spell from 2004 until 2011 as the International and National Sales & Marketing Manager for Fairview and Citrusdal Wines.
His later career history, includes amongst others, stints as International Sales Manager, working for Red Espresso which was the first company to produce an espresso style strong rooibos tea to a patented grind, thereby introducing a new beverage category with additional health benefits of no-caffeine and high anti-oxidant content. Furthermore, it also includes Taste of Terroir (representing seven wine brands including, Rhebokskloof, D’Aria, Freedom Hill, Thandi, Lords and Nativo); and Neil Ellis Wines, where he doubled up as Marketing Manager.
François matriculated at Afrikaans High School for Boys in Pretoria in 1997. He attained his Marketing Management Diploma at Boland College, Stellenbosch, in 2004, and then completed the Higher Diploma at the Institute of Commerce and Administration.
He also enjoys scuba diving, mountain biking, trail running and off-road triathlons in his spare time – and at one stage used to sing in the Stellenbosch University choir.
François, together with some friends, produces a wine label called Inixion (meaning ‘a new beginning’ in Italian).
DISSERTATION: Alternative anti-oxidants and preservatives in wine: the viability of Rooibos and Honeybush wood
Cillié’s dissertation discussed the viability of the use of the wood from the indigenous Rooibos (Aspalathus linearus) and Honeybush (Cyclopia genistoides) as an alternative to sulphur for their proven natural anti-oxidative and preservative qualities in wine.
