Glendale Distillery (Edward Snell and Co. Ltd.), Durban, Natal, South Africa.

Travelling to the Argentines, a ship came under distress and had to dock in Cape Town, South Africa. Passenger Edward Snell was on board and seeing the potential commercial opportunities available decided to stay and set up an import/export business. This was established in Durban in 1848 and later, included alcoholic products. By 1859, the business had grown and he brought his nephew Edward Hooper from England into the company. Snell finally retired in 1885 and Hooper’s son, Vernon ended up owning the business by 1906.

Today David Hooper is Chairman and Iain Hooper is Managing Director, the 3rd and 4th generations of the family, and the company is the largest family owned wine & spirit merchant in South Africa. Stretton’s brand is owned by Edward Snell & Co. and is produced at Glendale Distillery on the Umgeni River, by Master Distiller Derrick Stretton, a skill he learnt from his father (a renowned Gin distiller from England).

Edward Snell & Co.

Stretton’s