Our History
In 1932, first-generation Mauritius-born Edward Clark Oxenham founded the company that bears his name, and started producing wine from imported raisins. The smallness of the market, the island’s plantation economy, and Edward Clark Oxenham’s untimely death in 1948 did not make things easy for the Company, which first survived, and then slowly began to prosper, by sheer dint of hard work and perseverance.
The key turning point for both Mauritius and the Company came in the 1960s,when the country’s economy began to diversify into export-oriented manufacturing industry, and the Oxenham family’s first full-fledged oenologist graduated from the university of Dijon in France. Today, the family counts no fewer than five oenologists, with the new generation bringing expertise from Stellenbosch and Australia.
Who We Are
Manufacturer – Importer – Distributor – Exporter
Oxenham was born from a deeply rooted family passion for wine, nurtured over four generations.
Since its founding by Edward Clark Oxenham in 1932, our company has grown steadily into a dynamic, diversified group.
We proudly craft over 30 brands – making quality wines and spirits accessible to all and sharing them beyond our shores through our expanding export business, including our rums, wines, and The Thirsty Fox beer.
Over the decades, we have continued to innovate and refine our savoir-faire to produce authentic, distinctive beverages full of character.
To offer Mauritians the widest choice, we import and distribute world-renowned brands of wine, champagne, spirits, whisky, juice, chocolate, and coffee all celebrated for their excellence and prestige.
With a robust network serving over 4,900 shops, hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets, Oxenham has built an efficient distribution system. Every day, our dedicated commercial team visits shops with loaded trucks to deliver directly to each outlet according to their needs, while our sales representatives ensure timely delivery to hotels, restaurants, and supermarkets island-wide.
We take pride in providing reliable service and nurturing trusted relationships with all our partners.
THE WAY WE ARE
We value modesty as a frame of mind, and honesty, integrity and consideration for others as rules of life.
We treasure our Principals as invaluable business partners, our Employees as our most precious asset, and the satisfaction of our Customers and Consumers as our life-blood.
Above all, we are industrious and ardently committed to the development of our enterprise for the greater benefit of our Principals, Employees, Customers and Consumers, as well as our own.
1932
Edward Clark Oxenham launches the Oxenham manufactory at La Poudrière Street, Port Louis and the bottling plant at the corner of Edith Cavell and Félicien Mallefille Streets, Port Louis. This milestone marked the first Oxenham fruit wine manufactured by the company.
1948
After Edward Clark Oxenham’s death, the eldest of his 4 sons, Nutcombe, took over. His brothers, Clifford, Vivian and Edward, later joined in.
1950
Oxenham moves its bottling plant to Edith Cavell Street and the manufactory is transferred to its new premises at Harris Street. During the sixties, Oxenham centralizes all its activity in its premises at Harris Street. Nutcombe’s last brother, Edward, joins in as Oenologist after his studies in Dijon.
1960
EUREKA: Launch of the first Eureka wines
1964
The Company starts producing wine from pure grape-juice concentrate of such noble varietals as Cabernet Sauvignon and Cinsault, imported from various parts of the world.
1975
Nutcombe’s son, Patrick, starts working in the family business as Oenologist.
1982
The Company starts importing and distributing wine from South Africa, as Sole Importers and Distributors of Bellingham wines.
1985
The Company starts importing and distributing wine from France, as Sole Importers and Distributors of Antonin Rodet wines.
1986
KASTANER: Production of Kastaner, our very first litchi wine.
1987
The Company obtains its Distiller Bottler licence and starts producing brandy, rum and other spirits. Clifford’s son, Steven, starts working in the family business as Oenologist.
1988
The Company starts importing and distributing Scotch whisky, as Sole Importers and Distributors of Whyte & Mackay.
1989
The Company moves from its old and now rather cramped premises in Port Louis to its new headquarters along the Saint Jean – Phoenix motorway.
2010
Launch of Divine, a fruit wine crafted from our revisited lychee wine recipe, developed by our winemakers over decades since 1986.
2013
Frizzanté grapefruit perlé is launched and is an instant hit on the market.
2017
Brand Audit carried out and launch of the new Corporate Brand Identity.
Going Forward
The development and achievements of our Company since its inception in 1932 have been appreciable by any standards.
We do not intend to sleep on our laurels. Our development and diversification plans for the future concern production, imports & distribution, and exports.
We shall continue to build ever-closer ties with our existing business partners and welcome new partnerships and projects likely to favour our sustained development.
