Wine producer, Dirk Human, is the owner, winemaker and viticulturist of the Black Oystercatcher boutique wines.
The Human Family has farmed successfully on the Moddervlei farm, where the Black Oystercatcher winery is housed, for generations. The farm is situated between the small towns of Elim, Bredasdorp and Agulhas, in the Overberg region in South Africa. In 1998, Dirk and his family decided to live their dream – by planting vineyards on the property.
Dirk’s knowledge of the land with its sand plains, wetlands, extensive limestone and calcareous dunes enabled him to select the perfect location for the Black Oystercatcher’s vineyards.
In so doing, Dirk became one of the pioneers to establish vineyards in the maritime ward of Elim in 1998.
By 2003, the first boutique wines were bottled. Dirk named the new wines after the rare Black Oystercatcher birds, which, like the grapes, thrive along the coastline around the cool tip of Africa.
Today, around 80 000 bottles of Black Oystercatcher boutique wines are produced a year – making the wines truly exclusive.
It was time to extend the Black Oystercatcher wine range. Over the years, Dirk has added and amended his selection of wines. He has produced wines such as the Reserve Sauvignon blanc, the Blanc Fumé, the Wild Ferment, the Noble Late and the Méthode Cap Classique. The current selection of wines are available at the Black Oystercatcher Farm or on our online shop.
A time to grow
– 2008 –
In 2008, Dirk again lived his dream, opening the Black Oystercatcher Restaurant. Today the Black Oystercatcher offers a variety of fresh snacks in our farm shop, and delicious platters by booking.
– 2013 –
In 2013, he added 4 self-catering cottages – so visitors could enjoy a time-out on a working wine farm.
– 2014 –
In 2014, Black Oystercatcher launched our new logo, to showcase the region’s unique geology and climate – in particular, the Agulhas Plain’s coastal shelf, formed more than 900 million years ago.
– 2016 –
The Overberg – and the Black Oystercatcher in particular – became an increasingly popular destination for visitors. And Dirk loved showing the region he grew up in and loved to others. So he devised a new plan: to build a new, bigger venue – with even better views than before. The new venue was finished in 2016, with the former restaurant building now serving as the Tasting Room.
– 2016 –
But he wasn’t done just yet: Dirk has always enjoyed craft beer – in particular, Fraser’s Folly Craft Beer (based in Struisbaai). In 2016, talks with Fraser’s Folly founder, Fraser Crighton, started – to see how the Black Oystercatcher could team up with the craft brewery.
The deal was signed later in 2016: with the Black Oystercatcher buying Fraser’s Folly, while the brewery moved to the Black Oystercatcher Wine Farm.
– 2019 –
The Agulhas Wine Triangle was established in 2019 as a non-profit company, with the Black Oystercatcher and other wineries from the area joining this venture to showcase the wines, tourism and natural beauty of the Agulhas area.
– 2021 –
Following a series of Covid-related lockdowns, the Black Oystercatcher Wine Farm relaunches a tasty food offering to visitors to the farm, and continues to focus on producing delicious cool-climate wines.
– 2022 –
Some of our older Sauvignon blanc blocks are replaced with new vines on the Black Oystercatcher farm.
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Dirk’s next goal?
To bring the world to his doorstep in the Agulhas Wine Triangle, and show them the uniqueness of this southernmost wine-producing region.
The Black Oystercatcher Team
Dirk & Sandra Human
Owner and winemaker
Often helping out in the cellar and restaurant, Dirk and Sandra’s children, John and Jeanette, are as much part of the team as any of the staff. The Human household also includes Oscar (Waimaraner) and Coco (Yorkshire terrier) and they are definitely counted as part of the family and team. Oscar and Coco make sure that there is never a dull moment and supply us with many laughs along the way. Email Dirk. Email Sandra
Jeanette Human
Front of House Manager
Jeanette brings her wide range of talents and expertise to the Black Oystercatcher. She started her student career by completing a culinary course at the Silwood School of Cookery. She chose to gain experience as a chef, working in both Uganda and in Sweden for a season. Following another stint in Sweden, Jeanette gained more experience working at Jéan Restaurant in Cape Town. She has also served as the Black Oystercatcher wine representative in Cape Town. And while gaining all this work experience, she also completed her degree in marketing on a part-time basis. Now she has returned home to the Black Oystercatcher, accompanied by her trusted companions, Oatis and Maggie (best friends to Stella and Oscar). Email Jeanette.
Owen McDonald
Sales and Marketing Johannesburg
Owen’s love for wine started when he had the pleasure of tasting a Richebourg from Henry Jayer. At that moment, he knew that the wine industry was where he wanted to be and completed his Diploma at the Cape Wine Academy, before taking on the wholesale side of the trade. “My preference for wines varies just like that for art and music, so don’t be scared to go out and explore, discover and experiment.” Email Owen
Annemarie Geldenhuys
Bookkeeper
Annemarie has been working in the hospitality industry for over 10 years. Her journey started by earning a Diploma in Hospitality and Catering services after which she gained experience in the management of small family owned businesses. “I developed a passion for the finer things in life and the management of a young vibrant wine farm’s office was the perfect opportunity to explore a new facet of an industry I love. The perfect combination of good food, great friends and even better wine!” Email Annemarie
Willem Pietersen
Assistant Winemaker
Willem joined the Black Oystercatcher cellar team in 2012. He is a dedicated cellar worker and takes great pride in his work in the cellar. He is always eager to learn something new and he shows great interest in understanding why certain activities take place in the cellar. Once part of our vineyard team, Willem now oversees the day-to-day running of the cellar. He has completed his Cellar Worker Training Programme (SKOP) 3 course and we are very proud of his rapid growth.
Matt Draper
Sales and Marketing Durban
Matthew Draper grew up in the Natal midlands, in a family where a bottle of wine was always present on the dinner table. As a result, from a young age he learned to respect wine. This respect quickly turned into a passion. Email Matt
Alfred Williams (Kanna)
Vineyard Manager (Contractor)
Kanna has been part of the Black Oystercatcher since the very beginning. He helped plant the first Black Oystercatcher vineyards in 1998, and worked on Dirk’s farm, Moddervlei, as a foreman for many years. Today Kanna has his own business, called Strandveld Agri Landboudienste. He employs a team of 16 people, and looks after the Black Oystercatcher’s vineyards – maintaining them, picking grapes during harvest season and pruning during winter. Kanna’s dream is now to have his own vineyards, a process the Black Oystercatcher is actively supporting and pursuing.
Ashley (Tatenda) Hwizah
Gardener & Driver
Ashley helps to keep the facilities and grounds neat and tidy – this is a vital job and we could not do without Ashley. It’s thanks to his green fingers that we have the freshest and most delicious vegetables and herbs growing in our country garden.
Azli Veroni
Black Oystercatcher Kitchen
From primary school days, Azli, who grew up in Elim, knew she wanted to be a chef. Although she left Albert Myburgh High School in Bredasdorp to join the Working for Water alien clearing programme, she realised that she was not yet living her dream. So when she had the opportunity to join the Black Oystercatcher in 2016, she took it, first washing dishes, and working her way up. Today Azli runs the Black Oystercatcher kitchen, and is responsible for the range of tasty home-made pizzas and deli food we serve.
Conservation News
We’re open again. Here’s what you need to know
Like so many in the tourism and hospitality sector, these have been 3 uncertain months for us.
Quiz: What does your wine palate say about you?
Did you know that your choice of wine tells us a little something about your personality?
Harvest 2020: The drought, the downpour and the delight
Harvest 2020 is well underway. And thanks to the January downpour in the Overberg …
Our Waterscapes
#Waterscapes: The natural wonder of the Agulhas Plain
You depend on water – it’s the basis of life. The same goes for the Black Oystercatcher. But – because of our unique setting, we depend on an intricate water network. We don’t just turn on a tap. We connect with a vast water system that must function fully.
Because our #waterscapes are at the heart of our existence, we’re highlighting these natural wonders of the Agulhas Plain. It’s a tribute to our corner of earth in the Overberg – and the life-giving systems you’ll find here.
