Reyneke was the first biodynamic vineyard in South Africa.
Johan Reyneke, who owns the farm, believes that there is a lot to be said for the way winemaking used to be. There were no chemicals, no so-called technological advancements that made the process a process, and natural balance was more important than balance sheets.
Some people dismiss it as old-fashioned nostalgia, but we like to think of it as ancient wisdom. And we embrace it as much as we can. Not just because it is better for the earth, but because it makes for better wine.
Reyneke also have the innovative Cornerstone project to support the farm workers. Johan explains it: "Our workers are seen as the foundation of our house and the cornerstone of our business. After all, one cannot make great wine without good grapes and there is no way of growing good grapes without having everyone on board.
The Indian philosopher Amartya Sen said that true empowerment is about the capability to choose for oneself. It is something we wholeheartedly believe.
So we asked our workers what they would choose for their life. The reply was home ownership and education for their children.
So, to give credit where it is overdue, Cornerstone profits go to projects benefitting our workers and their families. To date, four worker families have been rewarded with their own homes, and currently we are funding tertiary education for our first farm child.
It is a small start but it will take us all down the path to the way things should be."
