After calling Remhoogte Farm home for 45 years, our beloved matriarch, Elna Dreyer, passed away suddenly on the farm earlier this week.
It is with heavy hearts that we share this news with all those who, since 2002, have had the privilege of meeting Elna at a wine tasting, in our tasting room, or somewhere along the Raka Wines journey. Her love of literature, language, and storytelling has been immortalised in the names of our wines – Figurehead, Spliced, Quinary, and Biography.
What an extraordinary life story she leaves behind.
Over the past few years, we chose to walk her journey with dementia privately, surrounded by the love and care of her family. In her memory, and to honour everyone affected by this disease, we will donate 15% of all online wine sales in July to Dementia South Africa.
Thank you to every single person who was part of Elna's story, and continues to be part of ours.
With love,
Piet, Gerhard, Josef, Pieter, Jorika, and her eight beautiful grandchildren
Messages of condolences to the Dreyer family
"Mag julle troos vind in die mooi herinneringe aan Elna, ’n merkwaardige vrou wie se liefde vir taal, stories en mense diep spore gelos het. Haar nalatenskap leef voort in elke wyn, elke naam, elke herinnering.
Ons dink aan julle in hierdie tyd van groot verlies. Met innige simpatie." - Amelia de Villiers
"Ons as haar matriekmaats sal haar onthou vir haar vreugde vir lewe en hoe trots sy op haar familie was. Seënwense en liefde vir julle." - Aletta Mocke
"Ons dink met groot Liefde aan julle in hierdie tyd van groot verlies en hartseer. Innige simpatie vir al die familie. Sy was altyd baie hardwerkend en vriendelik." - Sandra Wessels
"Dis baie hartseer nuus. Baie troos vir julle almal oom Piet en kinders. Ek drink spesiaal n Raka wyn op haar." - Christo Weideman
Should anyone wish to share their messages of condolences, please send them to editor@wine.co.za, and we will add them to this article.