Raymond Sawtell is the type of person that comes to mind when we think about small business owners. Entrepreneurial, enthusiastic, hard-working, a people-person connected to the community he serves.

Originally from Perth, Raymond has been in South Australia for more than ten years. With a background in transport and logistics, and with management degrees in his toolkit, it was a natural move for Raymond to start the Fleurieu Chauffeur & Tour Service. He runs the business from Mt Barker with brother Damien.

His business services the entire Fleurieu and the Adelaide Hills. FIFO workers and airport transfers are the mainstay of the business now that SA’s borders are open again. As with many other small businesses, the pandemic put Raymond’s operation through the wringer. The airport closures and lockdowns necessitated letting go of some of his seven drivers as well as a reduction of his car fleet from nine cars to four. Fortunately, the business is bouncing back strongly now with new cars, although Raymond says that getting well-qualified drivers is more of a challenge than it used to be. Raymond is extremely optimistic though and plans to open an Encounter Bay office in the near future.

Raymond has just purchased a vehicle which seats fourteen. This will be integral to his “new” Wine Experience, a personalised service, he’s just launched. Not just a wine tour he hastens to add, but a leisurely and more in-depth visit to a few hand-picked wineries where folk can speak to the wine-maker and get immersed and gain an insight into that wonderful artistry of wine-making that makes South Australia so singularly wonderful. Nobody does it better! Well … with the exception of a few French “upstarts”, perhaps?!

Just like their Buisness LOGO the drivers wear a signature cap to stand out from other chauffeurs, there Logo is shield and white cap and their drivers wear three piece suits.

As for his non-work life, Raymond is a car enthusiast with a passion for driving luxury cars. He manages the BMW Driver's Club of South Australia page on Facebook. Raymond’s also an avid golfer and a member at Aston Hills Golf Club at Mount Barker. He aspires to play the courses at Mount Compass, Victor Harbor and McCracken in the near future.

As is now customary, I ask Raymond for his top Fleurieu tips and suggestions, with the odd anecdote thrown in for good measure.

Best place to....

• Grab a quick bite … the Port Elliot Bakery for the best pies
• Have a more serious feed … many of the numerous restaurants on the main drag at Goolwa such as Thai Days Restaurant and the newish Garden of Nang. He also recommends the Winehouse at Langhorne Creek if you’re with a slightly larger group
• Taste some wine (or just enjoy the winery atmosphere) ... also in Langhorne Creek is the ever-popular Lake Breeze Wines. At Willunga, for Italian-style wines and good food, try Vigna Bottin Cellar Door & Osteria

Weirdest thing that’s happened to me here:

Driving a group of revellers back from Langhorne Creek at 3am one morning, his brand new six-seater van was totalled by the largest kangaroo he’d ever seen.

Most colourful character I’ve run into:

As one could well imagine for someone in his line of work, Raymond’s met quite a few personalities. He did a cooking course with Jamie Oliver, for instance. But meeting that larger-than-life character Costa Georgiadis, of Gardening Australia fame, was a real highlight.

Photo supplied: Raymond with Greg Ritchie

For more information and to book your chauffeur driver or tour HERE