“Lovely Gesture”: SA Wine Farm Boss Honours Female Vineyard Workers After Prestigious Award Win

• Stettyn Family Vineyards shared a heartfelt moment where cellar master Hendrik Griessel brought major wine trophies straight to female farmworkers in the vineyards
• The awards celebrated a top-performing wine made from the specific vineyard block pruned and cared for entirely by the women
• Social media users praised the gesture while championing fair financial bonuses and long-term recognition for frontline vineyard workers

In a touching demonstration of grassroots appreciation, a Western Cape wine estate made sure the real hands behind an award-winning vintage received the recognition they deserved. Stettyn Family Vineyards shared a video showing cellar master Hendrik Griessel walking straight into the vineyards carrying prestigious national and regional trophies to present them to the women who tend the vines. The moment touched thousands across social media, showcasing the power of celebrating the farmworkers who form the foundation of South Africa’s world-renowned wine industry.

Honouring the women behind the winning vintage

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In the video shared on Instagram by @stettynfamilyvineyards on 28 October 2026, Hendrik gathered a team of female vineyard workers dressed in blue work coats to share some incredible news. Addressing the group in Afrikaans, Griessel explained that a special wine produced from their designated block had triumphed at the prestigious SA Jongwynskou (SA Young Wine Show), walking away as the champion wine in Worcester and one of the finest entries nationally.

He emphasised that while men handled spraying and water management, the female workers did the essential, meticulous pruning and daily vine care. "Ek wil hê julle moet op die foto wees" (I want you to be in the photo), Griessel declared, insisting the trophies belonged by their side before the wine had even hit commercial bottles.

Watch the heartwarming gesture in the Instagram video below:

Mzansi reacts with warmth and calls for tangible rewards

The heartwarming encounter drew widespread appreciation online, with many viewers praising the estate for acknowledging the unseen labour that powers South African viticulture. Netizens flooded the comment section with applause for the visible respect shown to the workers, while others urged the farm to pair the ceremonial praise with direct financial bonuses from sales.

User @nachoweezer asked:

"So, gaan die kelder ten minste elke werker daar 'n aansienlike finansiële bonus toestaan (So, will the cellar at least grant every worker there a substantial financial bonus)?"

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User @carina.vannekerk.52 added:

"Baie geluk en dankie vir so 'n mooi gebaar! Lekker bonus of persentasie van wynverkope in 'n fonds/trust vir toekoms vir vroue! Mag die toekoms vir julle nog pryse bring (Congratulations and thank you for such a lovely gesture! A nice bonus or percentage of wine sales into a fund/trust for women's future! May the future bring you even more prizes)!"

User @pierrelouis_pilo shared:

"'n Besigheid wat na sy mense kyk, is 'n besigheid wat na gekyk word (A business that looks after its people is a business that gets looked after)."

User @natheron17 wrote:

"It’s the small things that count."

User @lols_the_vegan commented:

"South African here; these lovely ladies do not seem too interested in a photo, nor in the importance of a trophy. They likely struggle to support families. I hope they have good health insurance, school fees are paid, and school uniforms and supplies are covered. Housing supplied, with a patch of arable land for lovely veggie gardens. Transport etc."

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User @aronmay197 noted:

"Hulle lyk nie lus nie (They don't look like they are in the mood at all)."

3 Briefly News articles about wine farms

• An American tourist named Jerome struggled to stay awake at an outdoor vineyard table after drinking too much wine during a tasting in Cape Town.
• A Zimbabwean woman and her friend documented their tour of three Black-owned wine farms in the Western Cape on TikTok, visiting Klein Goederust, Topiary Wine Estate, and Aslina Wines.
• Black South African winemakers are gradually overcoming steep historical barriers, such as limited access to land and capital, to establish successful brands and reshape a traditionally white-dominated industry.

Source: Briefly News