Which of South Africa’s ‘organic’ wines have what it takes?
THERE ARE a number of South African wine estates that are farmed either organically or biodynamically but where the powers that be aren’t inclined to deal with the red tape or pay the costs associated with official certification. Then there are those producers who dip their toes in, so to speak, with one or two wines carrying the word ‘organic’ on the label. However, there are now 20 or so producers in the Cape who have dived in, boots and all, with most if not all of their wines given the nod of approval by one of the certification bodies: click here for a checklist and links to the cellars.
The word ‘organic’ can be all it takes to persuade certain wine lovers if they’re up for an impulse purchase. Some folks would prefer to drink nothing else, even if it costs a bit more. But the discerning would rather have the best of both worlds: wine that ticks the boxes in terms of healthy living, sustainable farming and respect for Mother Earth, but which is also top quality and interesting – as appealing as the good stuff that doesn’t come with an organic stamp, if not more so.
The following are from South Africa’s certified organic wine producers that have been received with very good to glowing reviews from panels of experts over the past 10 years:
Avondale Anima Chenin Blanc 2018
Avondale Armilla Blanc de Blanc (MCC) 2009, 2013, 2014
Avondale Camissa (Blanc de Noir) 2019
Avondale Cyclus (White Blend) 2009, 2011, 2012
Avondale Samsara Syrah 2010
Elgin Ridge 282 Pinot Noir 2014
Elgin Ridge Chaos White 2018
Joostenberg Bakermat (Red Blend) 2014, 2016
Joostenberg Noble Late Harvest 2013
Joostenberg Kaalgat Steen (Chenin) 2018
Joostenberg Klippe Kou Syrah 2015
Ladybird Organic Red 2012, 2015
Ladybird Organic White 2014, 2015
Laibach Chenin Blanc Sur Lie 2019
Laibach Claypot Merlot 2011, 2014, 2016, 2017
Laibach Natural Sweet 2019
Laibach Widow’s Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Laibach Woolworths Organic Merlot 2014
Laibach Friedrich Laibach (Red Blend) 2008, 2011, 2014
Lazanou Organic Chenin Blanc Chardonnay Viognier 2017, 2018
Lazanou Organic Syrah 2009, 2015
Lazanou Syrah Mourvèdre 2013, 2014, 2016
Lazanou Organic Viognier 2013
Longridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
Longridge Chardonnay 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017
Longridge Chenin Blanc 2019
Longridge Clos de Ciel (Chardonnay) 2016, 2017
Longridge Ekliptika (Red Blend) 2012, 2013, 2015
Longridge Emily Chardonnay Pinot Noir 2016
Longridge Maandans (Pinotage) 2017
Longridge Misterie (Merlot) 2016
Longridge Ou Steen Chenin Blanc 2017
Longridge Pinotage 2013
Jasper Raats Driefontein Blanc 2017, 2019
Lowerland Tolbos Tannat 2020
Lowerland Witgat Viognier 2020
Nativo Red 2015
Nativo White 2013
Org de Rac Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Reserve 2017
Org de Rac Die Waghuis Red Blend 2016, 2017
Org de Rac Die Waghuis White Blend 2017
Org de Rac Laverne Blanc de Blanc (MCC) 2012
Org de Rac Roussanne 2019
Org de Rac Shiraz 2020
Org de Rac Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2019
Reyneke Organic Chenin Blanc 2018, 2019
Reyneke Organic Chenin Blanc (Organic) 2012
Reyneke Organic Syrah (Biodynamic) 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019
Reyneke Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon (Organic, Biodynamic) 2015, 2017
Reyneke Reserve Natural Chenin Blanc (Organic, Biodynamic) 2016
Reyneke Reserve Red (Shiraz, Organic, Biodynamic) 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
Reyneke Reserve White (Sauvignon Blanc, Organic, Biodynamic) 2011, 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019
Spier The Yellowwood Organic White 2021
Springfontein Daredevils’ Drums Bunches Broken Shiraz 2016
Springfontein Daredevels’ Drums Skins Agleam Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Springfontein Jil’s Dune Single Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2016
Springfontein Jonathan’s Ridge Single Vineyard Pinotage 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016
Springfontein Limestone Rocks Child in Time Petit Verdot 2012
Springfontein Terroir Selection Chenin Blanc 2017
Stellar Heaven on Earth Muscat d’Alexandrie NV
Stellar Heaven on Earth Straw Wine NV
Stellar Organics No Sulphur Added Shiraz 2015
Stellar River’s End Chenin Blanc 2017
Stellar Running Duck Sauvignon Blanc Semillon 2016
Teubes Chenin Blanc 2015
Teubes Lambertsbay’s Finest Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Teubes Sauvignon Blanc 2012, 2014
Upland Cape Tawny (Port) 2014
Waterkloof Circle of Life Red 2010, 2015, 2019
Waterkloof Circle of Life White 2010, 2013, 2015, 2017
Waterkloof Circumstance Syrah 2009 2010
Waterkloof False Bay Bush Vine Pinotage 2020
Waterkloof Peacock Wild Ferment Chenin Blanc 2012
Waterkloof Peacock Wild Ferment Merlot 2011
Waterkloof The Last of The First Pinotage 2020
Waverley Hills Organic Chardonnay 2016
Waverley Hills Organic CW Reserve Shiraz 2010, 2012, 2013
Waverley Hills Organic Die Huijsbosch (Red Blend) 2017
Waverley Hills Organic Grenache 2017
Waverley Hills Organic Grenache Rosé 2019
Waverley Hills Organic SMV Shiraz Mourvèdre Viognier 2010, 2011, 2013
Our 2019 Noble Late Harvest is certified organic. We practice organic principles on Boekenhoutskloof and Porseleinberg, and are working towards organic certification. Our Swartland vineyards on the Porseleinberg and Goldmine properties will be certified organic in 2023.
We will be releasing our first organic wine towards September 2022, a wine made last year with grapes that we bought from Elgin Ridge. (We have been running trials for organic wines in a small cellar on the Stellenbosch property for the past couple of years).