Compagniesdrift Wines, a Stellenbosch-based wine brand, was launched in May 2015 by farm workers with ties to leading Stellenbosch wine properties Meerlust, Vriesenhof, and Ken Forester. Their range of quality wines are made by renowned winemaker Altus Treurnicht.
Jill Onkruid is the vibrant, young brand ambassador at Compagniesdrift Wines. Her years of experience in the wine industry include working as a shop assistant at Meerlust Wine Estate and a wine steward at Longridge Restaurant. Always open to learning more about wine, she's a recent graduate of UCT Graduate School of Business (UCT GSB)'s The Business of Wine course.
In this interview, Jill shares her wine journey with us. She tells us all about The Business of Wine course, how she got into the wine industry, and what drives her.
What does the UCT Graduate School of Business course mean to you?
The Business of Wine course has been the growth I was looking forward to. It has taught me about intricacies of the wine industry and the importance of the wine value chain. Moreover, wine is such a big business with various layers. After this course I have gained such great insight into these layers, brand innovation, wine finance, sensory evaluation, etc.
Lastly, the course means equipping me with the skills in leadership and critical thinking. I believe this will make me a sustainable role player in the wine industry.
What is one of the most interesting things you learnt in this course?
The most interesting thing this course has taught me is the origin story of the wine industry in South Africa. In addition, its abundance of challenges it faced was also very interesting to learn about. Finally, the lessons on our roles in the wine industry and the importance of us focusing on innovation and tomorrow to make the industry profitable.
How did you get into the wine industry?
My interest in wine was sparked while working in the Meerlust tasting room as a shop assistant. With no prior knowledge of wine, I read-up on the literature and asked questions. I taught myself as much as I possibly could, this is of course where the wine bug bit me. Today I have a WSET Level 3 pass with merit and, most recently, UCT GSB's The Business of Wine course.
I am loving every step of this journey and hope to grow much more in the future with not only experience but also the proper schooling to back it up.
What's your responsibilities at Compagniesdrift?
As the brand ambassador, I'm responsible for sales in and around the Western Cape. I also assist with marketing initiatives and co-ordination.
Why should people visit Compagniesdrift?
Visiting our farm is the best way to experience our brand and the authenticity. We opened a wine and farm shop on the 1 November 2021, which is the perfect place to host our guests.
Compagniesdrift is a community organisation. The goal of our brand is to not only uplift farm workers but women and children as well. Compagniesdrift cares deeply for its workers and their families and has created a work environment with a strong sense of family and belonging.
What's your advice for young people interested in working as a brand ambassador?
Being a brand ambassador is easy if you believe in the brand and you love what you do. It's really important to find a brand that resonates with your morals and values. You should have a absolute passion for the brand and what it stands for.
Most importantly, though, believe in yourself and your dreams. They are always valid. Enjoy every moment of the journey of life. Every new challenge means new opportunities and plenty of growth.