Thandi Wines

Thandi loves making history

1995: First broad-based BEE project in agriculture
2003: First Fairtrade wine brand in the world
2004: First BEE company to win a gold medal at the International Wine Challenge
2004: First successful model for sustainable development in farming
2009: First fully independent broad based BEE wine company in South Africa

Thandi’s love story. Established in Elgin in 1995, Thandi – a Xhosa word meaning ‘nurturing love’ – is a wine that niches on quality, spawned the Fairtrade trend, and uplifts and empowers previously disadvantaged communities. In 2003, Thandi became the first wine brand in the world to receive Fairtrade accreditation.

The name Thandi, is derived from the name of the daughter of one of the key role players in the community, Trevor Steyn,...

Thandi is South Africa’s first agricultural Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) project, as the company is owned by 250 farm worker families who hold 62% shares in the company. Furthermore, the Thandi community also holds farmland ownership over three farms, namely Lebanon Fruit Farm, Nietbegin and Paardenkloof.

Thandi loves our people. The Thandi community is involved in almost all stages of the winemaking process (from working in the vineyards to managing the farm and marketing the wines), as the brand aims to uplift previously disadvantaged people.

Managing Director Vernon Henn. Vernon, who was appointed as Managing Director of Thandi Wines in 2007, says his job enables him the privilege to plough back into the community and contribute towa...