WELCOME TO COMPAGNIESDRIFT
Having started with only 4 wine producers at the outset we have grown from strength to strength and have subsequently secured commitment from 80 wine producers to store their wine, with a total of 2.5 million bottles already in the warehouse. The facility is available to local wine producers and offers a cost-effective alternative to those producers who either do not have their own facilities or require transportation of their wine over long distances to acquire such facilities.
Compagniesdrift Wines were launched in May 2015 by farm workers with ties to leading Stellenbosch wine properties Meerlust, Vriesenhof and Ken Foresterr. Our range of quality wines are made by renowned winemaker Altus Treurnicht.
Compagniesdrift cares deeply for its workers and their families and created a work environment with a strong sense of family and belonging.
We invest in our staff’s personal and career growth by continuously enrolling them in training and development programmes.
As breast cancer affected the Compagniesdrift family personally when our MD was positively diagnosed in 2019, the company dedicates a percentage of the proceeds of our Chardonnay Pinot Noir to breast health awareness amongst the female staff members.
“Our values are honesty, integrity and dedication; and combining our passion for people we ensure business success” – Ilse Ruthford, MD
OUR STORY
People and partners are two of the cornerstones on which Compagniesdrift is built.
The Myburgh Family Trust, owners of renowned Meerlust Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, was the driving force behind the establishment of Compagniesdrift to ensure meaningful and economically viable empowerment of their workers.
The Meerlust Workers’ Trust owns Compagniesdrift since July 2019. The company was initially started in collaboration with the Myburgh Family Trust, Standard Bank and the Department of Land Affairs through its Land Reform and Development programme. The 72 beneficiaries have long standing relations with Meerlust, Vriesenhof and Ken Forrester wineries.
Ilse Ruthford
Managing Director
Veraline Davids
Finance Manager
Altus Treurnicht
Wine Maker
Ethienne September
Production Supervisor
Jill Onkruid
National Brand Ambassador
Bernadette Brown
Logistics Coordinator
Roselien Malgas
Logistics & Sales Coordinator
Claudie Daniels
Logistics Coordinator
Ashwin Layman
Dry Goods Coordinator
Marcel Solomons
Operations Supervisor
WE CARE
Compagniesdrift cares deeply for its workers and their families and created a work environment with a strong sense of family and belonging.
We invest in our staff’s personal and career growth by continuously enrolling them in training and development programmes.
As breast cancer affected the Compagniesdrift family personally when our MD was positively diagnosed in 2019, the company dedicates a percentage of the proceeds of our Chardonnay Pinot Noir to breast health awareness amongst the female staff members.
OUR SERVICES
Compagniesdrift offers a modern temperature-controlled storage with a capacity of up to 3 million bottles.
Our labelling service offers convenience to clients as we can label on demand according to the required quantities.
We also provide re-work services for export purposes.
The storage facility was established in December 2010 and has since grown from an initial four clients to more than sixty clients currently.
The facility is available to local wine producers and offers a cost-effective alternative to producers who requires storage and in-house labelling facilities.
We rank amongst the best storage facilities in the industry.
SOME OF OUR VALUED CLIENTS
OUR WINES
Our superb, award-winning wine range, available in local and international retail outlets and soon in our own tasting room, are carefully crafted by our gifted winemaker, Altus Treurnicht, who is also the winemaker at the world-renowned Meerlust Wine Estate.
Compagniesdrift wines are selected for its fruit expression and purity of flavour, which makes it an ideal food companion.
Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot
This wine has a dark ruby red colour with a vibrant hue showing the youth of this wine. On the nose dark fruit aromas of black current and plums with notes of spice are detected. The Merlot adds to the sweet fruit flavours detected on the palette while the Cabernet Sauvignon adds to the dark fruit core that makes this wine a pleasant food companion.
This wine is perfect for roast meat and game.
It can be aged from 4-8 years from vintage.
Chardonnay
This pale wine has a vibrant green hue in the glass. On the nose, aromas of white pears and apricots with nuances of lemon comes to mind. As the wine evolves in the glass, aromas of apricot become more evident.
This versatile wine can be enjoyed anywhere and at any time.
It can be aged for up to 2 years in ideal cellar storage conditions.
Chardonnay Pinot Noir
The wine has a vibrant rose colour with a mandarin-coloured hue. Nuances of cherry and red berry flavours can be found on the nose, with some stone fruit notes.
The Chardonnay grapes add to the core of the wine with Pinot Noir adding some depth of flavours on the mid- palate. Such great companions in one glass that adds to the complexity that neither one brings on their own.
These flavours are well supported by a fresh acidity that helps to elevate the fruit profile thereof.
A percentage of the proceeds of our Chardonnay Pinot Noir sales is donated to the Breast Health Foundation.
Rose 2024
The wine has a vibrant rose gold colour. Flavours such as cherry, pomegranate and quince are evident on the nose.
This wine is refreshing with layers of strawberries and watermelon supported by a crisp acidity that elevates the delicate fruit profile of the wine on the palette.
Albertus Nv
Distinct aromas of the Muscat grapes such as Turkish delight and rosewater with hints of fresh ginger accompanied with apricot, citrus and marmalade notes come to mind on the nose. On the palate the wine shows a great balance between acidity and fruit sweetness with a fine tannin structure extracted during maturation in barrel. On the finish a pleasing bitter grapefruit aroma ensures that the wine stays in the mouth long after the first sip.
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
NEWS
Standing Strong in Pink: Supporting Breast Cancer Awareness
October is painted in pink, a month dedicated to raising awareness, showing support, and inspiring hope for those affected by breast cancer. For Compagniesdrift, it’s a cause that touches every one of us. As a proudly community-driven winery, this month gave
Compagniesdrift at CapeWine 2025
From 10–12 September, Compagniesdrift proudly took part in CapeWine 2025, South Africa’s premier international wine showcase, hosted at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. As part of the South Africa Wine stand featuring fellow black-owned brands, we stood alongside some of
Compagniesdrift Makataan Chunks Crowned South African Preserve Product Of The Year
Makataan Chunks from Compagniesdrift named South African Preserve Product of the Year at the inaugural South African Preserve Championships, presented by Agri-Expo at Lanzerac in Stellenbosch on Tuesday, 19 August 2025. Competing against 456 entries from 66 manufacturers nationwide, the traditional
Makataanwaatlemoen seevier in eerste Suid-Afrikaanse Preserveerkampioenskappe
SA Preserveerproduk van die Jaar: Compagniesdrift se Makataan Chunks is as die eerste Suid-Afrikaanse Preserveerproduk van die Jaar aangewys, uit 456 inskrywings van 66 vervaardigers in die 2025 Suid-Afrikaanse Preserveerkampioenskappe, aangebied deur Agri-Expo. Foto: Hennie van Loggerenberg/OCTA 5.. n Tradisionele gunsteling,
Makataan takes top honours in inaugural South African preserve championships
SA Preserve Product of the Year: Compagniesdrift’s Makataan Chunks was crowned the first South African Preserve Product of the Year, out of 456 entries from 66 producers in the inaugural SA Preserve Championships, presented by Agri-Expo. Photo: Hennie van Loggerenberg/OCTA
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