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In this episode, hosts Dewald Kirsten and Louise Brodie sit down with De Villiers Graaff, CEO of De Grendel Wines, for a wide-ranging and deeply personal conversation about agriculture, legacy, ethical trade, and the real human impact behind the food and wine we consume.
De Villiers shares the remarkable multi-generation story of his family, from early innovation in refrigeration and civic leadership in Cape Town, to modern farming in the Hex River Valley and winemaking on the Tygerberg Hills.
At the heart of the conversation is his nearly two-decade involvement with the Waitrose Foundation, which this year celebrates 20 years of impact.
The discussion explores how the foundation works in practice, how funding flows back to farmworker communities, and why worker-led decision-making has been key to its success across South Africa and beyond. De Villiers also reflects on education, dignity, happiness in the workplace, and the responsibility of retailers and consumers in building sustainable agricultural systems.
The episode concludes with exciting news from De Grendel Wines, including their inclusion as a Waitrose Foundation supplier, the launch of a new reserve Merlot, and conservation efforts to protect one of the Cape Floral Kingdom’s most endangered biomes.
Key topics covered include:
•The origins and philosophy of the Waitrose Foundation
•20 years of social impact across Southern Africa and beyond
•Why education and early childhood development matter on farms
•“Worker voice” and community-driven development projects
•Ethical retail, consumer responsibility, and transparency
•De Grendel Wines’ terroir, heritage, and new wine releases
•Conservation of Renosterveld and sustainable farming practices
•Legacy, leadership, and treating people with dignity
Key Takeaways:
•Sustainable agriculture starts with people, not just production
•Ethical trade can deliver measurable, generational change
•Empowering workers to lead projects ensures lasting impact
•Wine, farming, and conservation can coexist in urban landscapes
Connect with De Villiers Graaff on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/de-villiers-graaff-1871356/
More about De Grendel Wines: https://degrendel.co.za/
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