At the foot of the southernmost mountain range in Africa, a group of workers have been cultivating land and tending vineyards in the award-winning Overberg wine region for decades. Now, the workers of Akkedisberg Boerdery are the proud owners of their own brand and story.
“The excitement is palpable in the fynbos sea air on the well-known wine farm Raka, between Caledon and Stanford, in the Western Cape, South Africa. It is here that 20 members of Akkedisberg launched their first wine, Southern Treasures Pinotage 2021,” says Wendy Petersen, executive manager of the SA Wine Industry Transformation Unit (Sawitu).
“This is a story about a respected and well-known family business, the Dreyer family, a dedicated mentor who, together with their workers, embarked on a journey to create and build a dream,” she says.
A bottled treasure
“The story behind this new brand is a community living in harmony with what nature gave them and how there is a mutual appreciation. Now, a hidden treasure from the Klein River Valley is in a bottle for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.”
The brand name Southern Treasures refers to the people who made this empowerment project possible. According to Petersen, the expression “eating a sack of salt together” does not adequately describe what this project achieved within ten years.
“Rather seven heavy sacks of salt, such as in the well-known Afrikaans nursery rhyme, which the workers of Akkedisberg and the owners of Raka have now transformed into 16 hectares of hope. They inspire the whole community.”
Southern Treasures Pinotage 2021
Led by their mentor Josef Dreyer and their two directors, Mariëtte Moos and Christel Moses, Akkedisberg’s proud group is now launching their first barrel-aged Southern Treasures Pinotage 2021, made from grapes from their own vineyards.
Generations close to the vineyard have worked together in these southern vineyards to create an excellent version of South Africa’s distinctive pinotage cultivar. A wine that has aromas of ripe cherry, blackberry, plum, and light hints of oak that promise excellent ageing potential.
Conscious wine drinkers will be happy to hear that the environmental impact from packaging to the vineyard reflects care.
In addition, sales of this wine support a better life for the families of Akkedisberg.
Making it possible
“The main aim of the project is to empower workers by transferring skills to them,” explains Josef Dreyer. “Nelson Mandela said that education is the most important tool with which to change the world. Raka has no stake in this project, we are two separate entities. I would not be able to afford such a project on my own.
“Capital is important, and that’s where the Western Cape, as well as the national government, come in, who gave most of the money, as well as the financial contribution, mentorship, and guidance that Sawitu provides. My contribution is my time and my love for our community. I can’t just sit back and think something is going to happen. But the most important requirement is someone who wants to drive the project themselves and take ownership of it. People like Mariëtte Moos and Christel Moses.”
‘This is for all of us’
Mariëtte Moos, a director of Akkedisberg, reflects on her journey and the impact of the project. “I really love the vineyard. Piet Dreyer and his son Josef encouraged us over many years to become part of an empowerment project and just never gave up. The project and also the people I have met over the past eight years are very inspiring to me. Now I know that I can do something, not only for myself but also for the people around me,” she says.
“It’s really a good thing that the Dreyers have done,” adds Moos. She is proud of her children who work on the farm, and her two daughters who completed matric, one of whom is completing a tourism course at Boland College. “This project is for all our workers. One day, if I can, I would like to create jobs too, especially for young people who have not finished school.”
Christel Moses, another director of Akkedisberg, also shares her journey and gratitude.
“I learn something every day,” she explains. “It’s wonderful how Raka’s owners have done everything in their power to support us. Piet Dreyer, who felt he wanted to walk this path with his workers, and Josef, who as winemaker and mentor, works hand in hand with us and assists us with financial advice.”
Moses also highlights the role of Sawitu in their success. “If it weren’t for Wendy Petersen, Sawitu, and the government, we would not have reached this point. We, as workers, feel proud to have been chosen by Sawitu for this project. The funds are used for our vineyards, which include everything from the purchase of vines and poles, planting, spraying, water and electricity, tractors, fuel, and more, as well as for our wine, from the bottles to labels and marketing material.”
A real team effort
According to Moses, all 20 workers on the farm are involved, and it is important that everyone’s input is considered. Her advice to those dreaming of similar projects is to be patient and willing to listen and be helped.
“If you give your best, they will try to help from their side. If you put your heart into it, and if you believe in yourself, I believe you will come out on top.”
With their product now on the shelves, Moses is thrilled. “This wine is something a little different, a pinotage, but not necessarily with the flavour profile that people are used to,” she explains. “Even people who don’t like pinotage taste it because I encourage them to say afterwards that I was right.”
The limited edition of 5033 bottles of Southern Treasure Pinotage 2021 can be purchased for R300 at Raka Wine Estate between Caledon and Stanford. Dreyer invites everyone to visit the northernmost point of the southernmost mountain range in Africa and experience the beauty of the Klein River Valley.
“The Klein River is popularly known as the longest river in the world whose source and mouth are the closest to each other, a distance of 90 km of meandering, but only 3.3 km as the crow flies,” he explains.
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