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Oaklands Wine Exporters is a dynamic wine making, wine trading and wine exporting company driven by the desire to make, source and supply quality wines. Their commitment to excellence is shaped by wine-maker
Danie Zeeman's vision:
''Through innovation and dedication we undertake to create and select wines that enrich and celebrate life ." |
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Danie Zeeman: The Heart of Oaklands Wine Exporters
Danie Zeeman is the well-known face and character behind Oaklands Wine Exporters. Born and bred on the family farm, Amoré, in the Breede River Valley situated in South Africa 's renowned wine-growing Western Cape region, Danie learnt the art of wine making from his father.
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Today he shares his passion for wine making and outstanding wines with his family, friends and fellow wine lovers across the world.
After studying wine making at Elsenburg Agricultural College in Stellenbosch, he started his illustrious career as winemaker in 1970, when he was appointed Cellar Master for Bottelary Co-operative wine-cellar, located in the heartland of South Africa 's 350 year old wine industry. |
In the 1980's Danie received many rewards and accolades in South Africa for his pioneering wine making techniques and contribution to SA wine culture, e.g.-
- His 1981 Bottelary Co-op Colombar was crowned the champion white wine in South Africa;
- In 1985 Danie was the first winemaker from a co-operative wine-cellar to have two wines listed on the South African Airways wine list - a Gewurztraminer and a Sauvignon Blanc!
- In 1983 Danie furthermore initiated the first public harvest day in South Africa at the Bottelary Co-op - which is still a well-loved annual event, drawing between 2 000 and 3 000 participants every year.
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In the 1990's Danie was invited to join an international wine company called Longridge Winery. He worked as Winemaker and Production Director and was credited for the following achievements:
- The Longridge Chardonnay of 1992 was the first South African wine to receive the much sought-after Certificate of ? Par Excellence from the British Wine Masters Institute; and
- In 1996 Longridge wines were served on Thai Airways.
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In 1998, Danie was approached by Baarsma Holdings, the Dutch partner in Longridge Winery, to set up an independent wine business. As the new Director of Baarsma South Africa, he was responsible for all wine sourcing, blending and quality control for Baarsma Holland, which required huge volumes of South African wine to service supermarkets in Europe. |
Through managing this exciting and challenging portfolio, Danie was introduced to the dynamic and expanding global wine industry. In this capacity he visited many wine producing countries and was involved in numerous overseas harvests. He also attended and participated in several international wine shows where he gained invaluable experience of global wine markets and wine trends.
Over the years the dream to develop his own business slowly took shape. Danie is a firm believer in living one's own truth and passion. In his own words:
"If you wish to succeed, you must listen to your heart and be honest with yourself and others
in everything you do." |
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With his wife and four children, who all share his love and passion for wine, he finally started his bold new wine venture in 2002. Oaklands Wine Exporters was to become a family business of note, specialising in making and sourcing both excellent and affordable South African wines for a growing international market. Needless to say, the Zeeman family has not looked back since. |
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Oaklands Wine Exporters: The Company and Faces
With Oaklands Wine Exporters Danie established a dynamic wine making, trading and exporting company built on the principles of dedication, innovation and pursuit of excellence, and fired by the passion to create and select wines that enrich and celebrate life.
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| Mariette Coetzee |
Danie and his assistant, Mariette Coetzee, are responsible for all wine sourcing, blending and quality control. Grapes are mainly sourced from Wellington , the Breede River Valley and the Riebeeck Kasteel region. Danie selects the grapes and he looks after the red and white wine vinification specific for the DEZA Flagship range.
The Marketing and Logistics team, Annemé Grobler and Mariette Coetzee, are responsible for marketing all bulk and bottled wines for the export market. They manages the complicated logistics involved, as well as the -
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sourcing of bulk wine to the specifications of the client;
- handling of all logistics and shipping of bulk wines;
- supplying and shipping of "Private labels" (Buyers own brands), sourcing of wine, government approval, printing of labels, bottling and shipping to specifications; and
- supplying and shipping of own Flagship brand, DEZA
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Ohna Zeeman, Liezl Hattingh,
Annemé Grobler |
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| André & Danie (junior) Zeeman |
Danie's wife, Ohna Zeeman, and his daughter Liezl Hattingh are responsible for all Oaklands Wine Exporters' financial and administration activities.
Danie's eldest son, André Zeeman
manages the marketing of
Oaklands
Wine Exporters' products
in the
Southern
African region.
Danie (junior), the youngest child, studied art and graphic design and his creative inputs show their influence in Oaklands Wine Exporters fine design choices and presentations.
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| Shiraz |
Chardonnay |
Sauvignon Blanc |
Shiraz & Pinotage |
Merlot |
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Oaklands Wines, PO Box 12398, Die Boord, Stellenbosch, 7613
Phone: +27 (0)21 886 9626 Fax: +27 (0)21 887 0441
info@oaklandswines.com
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