At the foot of the southernmost mountain range in Africa, a group of twenty Akkedisberg vineyard workers set up their Akkedisberg Boerdery in 2013 – a company with a trust as shareholders and beneficiaries. They entered into a 30-year lease-agreement with Raka Wines for a 16 hectares portion of land at a nominal fee.
In May 2023, twenty members of Akkedisberg launched their first wine – Southern Treasures Pinotage 2021.
“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.” This, according to Wendy Petersen, executive manager of the SA Wine Industry Transformation Unit (SAWITU). “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" pays homage to the people who made this empowerment project possible. According to Petersen, the workers of Akkedisberg and the owners of Raka have now transformed this enterprise into 16 hectares of hope, inspiring the whole community.
Quality wine with its heart in the right place
Led by their mentor Josef Dreyer and their two directors, Mariëtte Moos and Christel Moses, Akkedisberg’s proud group of men and women have now launched their first barrel-aged Southern Treasures Pinotage 2021, made from grapes harvested in their own vineyards.
The 37-year-old Josef Dreyer grew up on the farm Raka, studied at Elsenburg, and took over the winemaking from his father in 2007. From an early age, this award-winning winemaker witnessed how his father adapted to the changing times by replacing citrus with vineyards on the farm, constructing a cellar, and initiating an empowerment project in the fishing industry.
"I know the people," says Dreyer. "We work together, and have a healthy relationship. That is why it was important to create and establish this opportunity for them in agriculture."
Dreyer emphasises that the main aim of the project is to empower workers by transferring skills to them. "Raka has no stake in this project as these 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 – they gave most of the money, with the financial contribution, mentorship, and guidance that SAWITU provides. My contribution is my time and my love for our community. Yet, the most important requirement is someone who wants to drive the project himself, and take ownership of it. People like Mariëtte Moos and Christel Moses."
From picking flowers to directorship
Mariëtte Moos (48), a director of Akkedisberg, grew up in the Boland and, so to speak, in the vineyard. Her husband, Andrew Moos, is Josef’s left and right hand in the cellar. The Moos family has been living and working on Raka for two decades.
"I really love the vineyard," says Moos, who did not complete high school, but took up full-time employment at the age of 16 in a vineyard in Wellington. On her life journey to running her own vineyard, she worked on fynbos export farms in the Overberg and sold naartjies "next to the road" when her four children were young. She continues to work in Raka’s vineyards to this day.
Growing and learning with the project
Christel Moses (43) not only works in Raka’s tasting room, assisting with administration, deliveries and wine tastings, but she has also been a director of Akkedisberg since 2022.
She grew up on the farm Rietpoel near Riviersonderend, and attended high school in Caledon. Although she did not complete matric, she is computer literate, and has received a farm worker award. Prior to joining Raka in 2015, she was employed at Springfontein Wine Estate, where she received wine tasting and cellar training – even completed Vinpro’s SKOP course. She lives in Stanford with her mother and her 17-year-old daughter.
"It is amazing how Raka’s owners have done everything in their power to support us. Piet Dreyer felt he wanted to walk this path with his workers, and Josef, the winemaker, is our mentor, and works hand in hand with us, even assisting us with financial advice," says Moses.
Invest in a rare project
Moses is excited that their product is now available on the shelves of the Raka tasting room where everyone can see it. Only a limited number of 5 033 bottles of the Southern Treasure Pinotage 2021 have been released.
"The cellar door price is R300 per bottle, with Raka wine estate located southeast of Hermanus. Come and meet the people of Akkedisberg, and help make their story a well-received South African story," says Piet Dreyer.
For more information, send an email to info@southerntreasureswine.co.za, contact 028 341 0676, or visit www.southerntreasureswine.co.za.