Journey’s End is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephanie von Oppell and Thea van der Merwe as the leaders of its marketing team.
Von Oppell has been appointed to lead the global premiumisation strategy for Journey’s End. With her rich background from Penfolds and Diageo, she will be based in London and focus on expanding the brand’s premium presence in major cities worldwide.
Van der Merwe joins the team in South Africa and is tasked with leading the brand home premiumisation efforts. Her decade’s experience at Jordan Wine Estate makes her a valuable addition to the team, aiming to elevate the brand’s stature and align local initiatives with global standards.
Journey’s End has already achieved notable success in the United Kingdom, particularly on London’s restaurant scene, where it ranks among the top five still wine brands.
The appointments of Von Oppell and Van der Merwe are expected to propel the brand’s commitment to sustainability and community engagement further, enhancing its reputation globally.
Journey’s End, a boutique estate on the mountain slopes above Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, was acquired by the Gabb family in 1995. The wine estate focuses on ethically and sustainably producing top-quality wines. Located on the Schapenberg Hills, the vineyards boast ancient soils and benefit from the cooling “Cape Doctor” wind from the Atlantic.
Winemakers Leon Esterhuizen and Mike Dawson employ progressive techniques, such as minimal intervention and fermentation in unique vessels, enhancing their award-winning wines.
Committed to sustainability, the estate converted to solar power in 2014, received Fairtrade certification in 2017 and established the Journey’s End Foundation in 2020 to combat hunger, providing more than 4 million meals.
Recognised as an environmental leader, Journey’s End has won multiple awards for its ethical practices and water management, and is a World Wide Fund for Nature Conservation Champion and a founding member of the Sustainable Wine Roundtable, achieving carbon negative status.
