Pandama’s got you covered

By Wendella Davidson

“PANDAMA represents all Guyanese; we are everyone and it is something I am very proud of. And what I love is that we are a Guyanese business and product; something that all Guyanese should be proud of,” asserted Mrs Tracy Douglas, who, along with her husband, Warren, established the Pandama Winery and Retreat some 10 years ago.

This unique business, home to some 200 flavours of wines made from local fruits and barks, is nestled amongst trees at Madewini, a mere 10-minute drive just off the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

According to Warren, he and his wife cherish this type of life away from the bright lights and hustle and bustle in the city, so, for them, the investment is a gratifying one. He noted that daily, and especially at weekends, the business is home to visitors, be it for a day, overnight, or to spend the entire weekend. And this has been the trend ever since he and wife opened their doors and word began to spread of their existence.

For Warren, 54, a Buxtonian by birth who also lived in South Ruimveldt Park, on the outskirts of the city before migrating to the United States at the tender age of 15.
He recalled that it was during a visit here in 2007 to watch the Cricket World Cup (CWC) that his interest in obtaining a plot of land piqued.

It was, however, Tracy’s first visit to her husband’s homeland; something she’d always longed to do, and just as she’d anticipated, she immediately fell in love with Guyana, to the extent that by 2009, the couple was ready to relocate to the `Land of Many Waters’.
Warren said that he and Tracy developed the business in the semi-jungle from scratch to the extent that it now boasts cabins and treehouses that can cater for up to 16 persons and for any occasion, be it a day or overnight visit, or a weekend stay for guests. The cabins, though comfy, give one the experience of a semi-rustic jungle life. Recently, the couple was forced to extend the canopy of the lounge area, so that guests can be more comfortably accommodated and relax and enjoy lunch and dinner in an air of camaraderie.

And just recently, a group of 100 persons were hosted there.

According to Warren, the idea behind establishing Pandama Winery and Resort was to attract nature lovers; couples who want to spend some quiet time together as they bond, or families who like to enjoy a jungle-like outdoors setting.

To this end, the sprawling grounds are ideal for bird-watchers to hone their hobby. For camping, while a stone’s throw away is a creek with its black but somewhat clear water is invitingly tantalizing-looking waters and a rustic, spacious deck for relaxing.
The couple’s residence is a mere walking distance from the lounge, where they prepare meals for guests. Meals and a complimentary glass of wine is part of the package.

INTERESTING DÉCOR

The ambience at the lounge is quite welcoming, with locally-made furniture and an interesting décor put together by Tracy, herself an artist and expert in batik work and other creative arts.

The local fruits that produce a variety of exotic wines with quality and provenance to excite the taste buds, such as jamoon, anti-Desmond, carambola, sorrel, mango, boulanger, cashew, pepper, pear, cherry and soursop, are sourced from local farmers. Other wines are made from honey and barks and are all bottled, neatly labelled and put on display at the Pandama Winery.

In 2012, Pandama Wines received the Tourism & Hospitality Association of Guyana (THAG) President’s Award for “Best New Product” in Guyana, and in 2014 was awarded “Tourism Entrepreneur”.

With the motto of the business being, ‘Wine should be enjoyed and not analysed’, the Douglases have indeed made a name for themselves with the over 200 varieties of novel wines that can be had at affordable prices at local supermarkets. The prices may vary though, because of specialty or production costs.

Warren said he ensures that he is never out of stock of the various wines for which he gets orders for weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, staff parties and conferences. The manufacturing process, which includes the bottling, corking and sealing, is handled by both parties; the only aspect that Tracy handles singlehandedly is the designing of the labels.
For Tracy, she likens her business to emancipation, or freedom to create things that she likes. Elaborating on the word emancipation, she said, “Descent is one thing, and is something I am very proud of; To be of African descent, whether it is African Guyanese or African American, my spiritual base, and it brings some magic into my life.

“I think that when I am creating something, is not even putting myself in any box of Africanness but just good business practice. We just do us. If you appreciate, it’s good; if you don’t, it’s ok. “Everything I create is something that is coming out of us; we are not thinking who’s gonna like this. We like it, and what we do is for everybody; we love the support, and it is for all Guyanese – Chinese, Portuguese, Africans- we have all races visiting our business.

Upon our arrival at the location, Warren was in the process of welcoming a group of about eight guests, and not long after a group of four, comprising of three Columbians, Maria Alejandra Gonzales, Ingrid Giovanna Rosero and Andre Morales; and Antoine Morillon, a French native arrived. It was their first visit, and, evidently excited, they wasted no time in seeking out the creek. In invited comments, they spoke of the location being “heavenly, and exactly what we as visitors want to experience for an adventure; awesome, and indeed nature in a beautiful form and magical.”

Meanwhile, Tracy reiterated that all of the ‘Pandama Wines’ are affordable, with prices ranging from between $2,000 to $5,000. With a mischievous smile on her face, she added, “The bark wines, like the ‘Pulse’, are specifically for libido enhancement. It is not a man’s wine; it is a human wine; it makes everybody perky and happy.”