Compagniesdrift is proud to announce that it has achieved accreditation from the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association, WIETA, reinforcing its commitment to ethical trade, fair labour practices, and responsible business within the South African wine industry.
This milestone affirms Compagniesdrift’s adherence to rigorous standards across labour rights, working conditions, and social responsibility, principles that are deeply embedded in the brand’s foundation.
Located in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands, Compagniesdrift is a community-owned organisation with a people-centric approach to the wine industry. Established in 2015 by agriworkers with long-standing ties to leading Stellenbosch estates including Meerlust, Vriesenhof and Ken Forrester, the business was created out of a passion for people and continues to grow with its community, empowering individuals and paving the way for future generations in wine.
Since its inception, Compagniesdrift has evolved from working with just four wine producers to securing partnerships with more than 80 producers, with approximately 2.5 million bottles currently stored in its facilities. The business provides a cost-effective, centralised solution for wine storage, logistics and related services, supporting producers who require scale, efficiency, or proximity to market.
Ownership of the business transitioned to the Meerlust Workers’ Trust in 2019, further embedding its commitment to meaningful and economically viable empowerment. Today, the company continues to invest in its people through ongoing training and development, fostering a strong sense of belonging and long-term growth within the organisation.
“Achieving WIETA accreditation is a meaningful step for us,” says Ilse Rutherford. “Our values are honesty, integrity and dedication; combined with our passion for people, we ensure business success. This accreditation reinforces what we have always stood for, doing business with integrity, supporting our people, and contributing positively to the broader wine industry.”
She adds, “WIETA accreditation assures our customers that their products are stored in a facility that meets internationally recognised ethical, legal, and social compliance standards, protecting both their brand and supply. Earning this accreditation is a significant achievement, and within our industry, our customers understand the level of commitment, time, and attention to detail required to reach it. It reflects the standards we are proud to uphold for every client we work with.”
The accreditation also positions Compagniesdrift within a significant and growing movement in South African wine. WIETA now represents more than 1 300 wine industry members, with over 70% of South Africa’s wine grapes, equating to approximately 850 000 tonnes, produced under ethical accreditation.
This level of traceability is rare among global wine-producing countries and highlights South Africa’s leadership in ethical sourcing and social sustainability.
WIETA operates a proactive, world-class ethical trade programme built on a multi-stakeholder model, representing trade unions, civil society, wine brands, and producers. This structure enables meaningful dialogue around ethical trade and human rights, while actively promoting fair and decent working conditions across the industry.
As a recognised social assurance scheme, WIETA provides credible and independent audit verification of its members’ compliance against its ethical standard. This includes regular third-party audits conducted against defined risk criteria, with on-site inspections, documentation review, and both worker and management interviews forming part of the process.
Beyond compliance, the programme focuses on continuous improvement, supporting members through training, capacity building, and resources to strengthen implementation of ethical practices across their operations. Transparency and accountability are central to the system, supported by ongoing monitoring, corrective action processes, and initiatives such as the Vineyard Voice complaints and remediation mechanism.
Compagniesdrift’s wines, including Chardonnay, Rosé, Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot, and the Albertus single vineyard wine, form part of the Meridian Wine Merchants portfolio, with four wines currently represented. The Chardonnay, Rosé, and Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot are available nationally through Pick n Pay stores, while the Albertus is available directly from the Compagniesdrift Wine and Farm Shop or online at compagniesdrift.com. The range reflects a balance of careful vineyard management, considered winemaking, and a focus on expressing both fruit purity and site.
Compagniesdrift also maintains a strong commitment to the wellbeing of its people. Following a personal breast cancer diagnosis within the leadership team in 2019, the business dedicates a percentage of proceeds from its Chardonnay Pinot Noir to breast health awareness among its female staff, reinforcing its ongoing investment in the health and wellbeing of its community.
For Compagniesdrift’s partners and services clients, the accreditation provides added assurance that wines are handled within an ethically compliant, transparent, and professionally managed environment.
As the business continues to grow its footprint across both consumer and B2B markets, this achievement marks another step forward in building a brand that balances quality, accountability, and purpose.
