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Raka Wine

Winery Description

Location and History

In 1982, the Dreyer Family purchased Remhoogte farm, located southeast of Hermanus in the Akkedisberg area. At the time, Piet Dreyer was engaged in commercial fishing. Initially, the family ran livestock and later planted citrus trees, with Piet's wife and children tending the farm during his absences. In 1999, the Dreyers planted 10 hectares of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Shiraz.

The farm's proximity to the sea provides cooling breezes from Walker Bay in the afternoon, while the South Easter wind from Agulhas on the Indian Ocean reduces summer heat. The Klein River Mountain is the southernmost mountain range in Africa offers diverse aspects and soil types.

Raka is very much a family business. Piet and Elna Dreyer have three sons and a daughter. Their eldest son, Gerhard, took up squid fishing after school and now handles many of his father's responsibilities, allowing Piet to focus on producing quality wine. Josef, the second son, earned a B.Agric degree from Elsenburg in 2006 and is now Raka's winemaker, also managing accounting. The youngest son, Pieter, serves as the viticulturist and farm manager. Their daughter, Jorika, handles marketing and sales. During harvest, the entire family helps, with every hand playing a crucial role.

Wine Tasting

Named after Piet Dreyer's beloved fishing boat, Raka wines reflect his passion for the sea and the land. Over the years, the vineyard has expanded to 73 hectares, including plantings of Pinotage, Sangiovese, Viognier, Mourvèdre, Petit Verdot, and larger plantings of Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Sauvignon Blanc, making the farm self-sufficient in the varieties needed for various blends.

Josef Dreyer has been the winemaker at Raka since the 2007 harvest. With the support of a dedicated workforce and the advantages of a modern gravity flow cellar, Josef produces award-winning Raka wines, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Petit Verdot, a variety of blends and a sparkling wine called Happiness.

Restaurant

At Raka, you can create your own picnic-style lunch with items from their deli shop, including local products like cheese, olives, preserves, biscuits, nuts and more. There is also the option of a cheese and wine pairing or ice cream and wine pairing.

Accommodation


Tours and Activities