The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the European Union and the Southern African Development Community EPA Group (Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and South Africa) came into effect in October 2016. Gains for the South African wine sector include increased market access and Geographical Indication (GI) protection for local products, notably wines and spirits.
In addition, the European Union has committed to assisting the restructuring of the South African wines and spirits sector and the marketing and distribution of these products. This EU assistance will contribute to transformation of the sector by enabling further economic empowerment of collectives of black-owned wine labels such as Treasure Chest.
Treasure Chest is a joint action group established in 2013. It comprises 14 black-owned brands of wine, 90% women-owned. Collectively, the Treasure Chest members have 125 years’ experience in the wine industry. Its members regularly market and exhibit their wines jointly
This unique wine trade initiative aims to bring economic and social development to previously disadvantaged wine brand owners with a particular focus on empowering women. Treasure Chest is sponsored and supported by the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the National Marketing Agriculture Council, VinPro, the Department of Trade and Industry, and South African Liquor Brand Owners Association.