A long-time leader in South African sustainability and recognised WWF-SA Conservation Champion, Spier is showcasing its unwavering commitment to organic with a new line of wines.
The holistically farmed Good Natured Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Shiraz and Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon arrive as Spier aims to reach a net zero carbon footprint by 2030.
Good wine starts with good, healthy soil. The lead-up to the launch of the new Good Natured range has required seven patient years since Spier was first organically certified in 2015. During this time, Spier has launched a few special ranges of organic wines - and collected some notable awards along the way. Yet the launch of the new Good Natured range marks a milestone, highlighting Spier’s commitment to working with long-term partners in the Cape to increase organic sourcing.
Each of the four wines - two whites and two reds - is made with fruit grown in organic vineyards free of synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and fertilisers. Instead, nature is invited back into the vineyard to encourage a diverse ecosystem of plants, insects, and microorganisms to thrive. In the winter, oat, mustard and clover seeds are planted for cover crops to germinate and add nutrition to the soil. Bees, bugs and birds act as welcome pest control and by the time harvest rolls around, the team handpick vines and returns as much back to the earth for composting or recycling.
The result of this 360-degree approach is a wine range that embodies Spier’s multifaceted regenerative philosophy—and is an example of how regenerative viticulture can create vibrant, flavorful wines.
“I believe the winemaking process should involve as little interference as possible. The less we fiddle with nature, the better the results. When nature is in a good place, so is everything. Wine included,” shares Spier’s Organic Winemaker, Tania Kleintjes.
Though Spier has integrated the farm’s Growing For Good initiatives for years, the vegan-friendly Good Natured wines come at a time when producer and consumer philosophies on farming and wine production align. As consumers become more aware of the ongoing effects of climate change, they are switching to organic wines. As they do, they seek more variety and exceptional tastes at prices that’ll go down smoothly. Guaranteed to be proper crowd pleasers, the Good Natured range checks all these boxes. The wines have leading local and international ethical certifications (including WIETA and amfori BSCI).
WHERE TO TASTE
To celebrate the arrival of the Good Natured range, our Tasting Room offers an Organic Wine Tasting until 31 October. Guests can enjoy four delicious, freshly-prepared vegetarian bites paired with four exceptional organic wines, including the new Good Natured Organic Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon.
Contact +27 (21) 809 1984 for more info. Bookings essential.
ABOUT THE WINES
Good Natured Sauvignon Blanc 2022
The organically grown grapes for the Good Natured Sauvignon Blanc 2022 grow in two vineyard blocks four and six years in age and are planted in rich lime Karoo soils in an area called Lutzville. This wine is full of typical yet refined aromas of the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety, including grapefruit, litchi and elderflower flavours that lead to a vibrantly fresh finish.
Good Natured Chenin Blanc 2022
The Good Natured Chenin Blanc 2022 is made from grapes sourced from both 15 and 25 years old vines managed to international organic standards and grown in the regions of Paarl and Groenekloof. The resulting wine shares enticing notes of quince, citrus and peach, thanks to the high clay concentration in the decomposed granite soils.
Good Natured Shiraz 2021
On the red side, the 26-year-old organically grown vines for the Good Natured Shiraz 2021 are nurtured in the lime-rich red Karoo soils of the Olifantsrivier region. Intense and smooth, notes of mulberry and sweet spice lead to a delicate finish.
Good Natured Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Last but certainly not least, the Good Natured Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is a red blend that offers a bolder counterpart to the Shiraz, brimming with intense dark blackcurrant and mulberry flavours and supported by hints of allspice and dark chocolate.
Spier wines can be tasted and purchased at the farm in Stellenbosch and online at shop.spier.co.za.