Spier Wine Farm is one of only a few wineries in the country to have grown despite the tough economic conditions of the past few years. We caught up with Spier CEO Andrew Milne to find out more about its business strategy.
The South African wine industry has struggled with severe challenges over the past few years, resulting in only one in seven wine producers making a profit. Spier Wine Farm belongs to this small minority, but, even more impressively, it has achieved this success with socially and environmentally responsible business practices.
Andrew Milne, who took over as CEO at Spier 10 years ago, ascribes this to the company’s strong brand. “Spier Wine Farm has been going since 1692, making it one of the oldest wine estates in the country. Great efforts have been made to restore the old farm buildings, and we are investing in landscaping to create an environment that better resembles what the farm used to look like back in the day.
“While history creates a great cultural experience, the biggest selling point is the brand’s delivery on quality. People who drink our wines or make use of our hotel or conferencing facilities are used to getting good value. That is most probably the secret to any successful business; you have to offer both good quality and value in your products,” he says.
At the same time, the brand is associated with ethical business principles. “Spier has been investing in sustainable farming practices and the local community for a long time,” says Milne. “For us, ethical trade is a part of our DNA, not a corporate responsibility or a marketing tool. Our community projects and sustainability goals are budgeted for and set at the start of each financial year. They are an integral part of the way we do business.”
Waste management
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