Organic Wines South Africa is thrilled to announce the official formation of its association, established on September 4th, 2024. The association brings together South Africa’s core certified-organic wine estates with a shared mission to promote sustainability in agriculture and champion non-chemical winemaking methods. By fostering information sharing and pooling technical expertise, the association aims to lead the way in advancing sustainable production across the South African wine sector, both domestically and globally.
Though the association currently consists of 11 founding members, it seeks to welcome all South African producers of organically certified wines, including those in the process of conversion or certified in organic regenerative practices. Membership is governed by EU certification standards to ensure the highest level of compliance for all members.
Leadership Team
The association has appointed a Management Committee to guide its objectives:
- Chairperson: Alex Dale, Radford Dale Organic Estate
- Treasurer: Johan Reyneke, Reyneke Wines
- Secretary: Tyrrel Myburgh, Joostenberg Estate
During the launch, Chairperson Alex Dale remarked, “The South African wine industry has made tremendous strides in the past 30 years, with our wines being recognized globally for quality and value. With Organic Wines South Africa, we aim to lead the charge in sustainability, especially within viticulture.”
Expanding Organic Winemaking
Many members already distribute their wines across South Africa and internationally, providing a solid network to promote the association’s message. The goal is to significantly increase the number of organic wine producers in South Africa and embed sustainable practices into the mainstream.
Combating ‘Greenwashing’
To maintain transparency, the association will limit its membership to certified organic and biodynamic wine producers. “Greenwashing”—the false promotion of sustainability—remains prevalent in many sectors, including wine. Organic Wines South Africa intends to ensure clarity and authenticity in its members’ practices.
Treasurer Johan Reyneke echoed this sentiment by quoting Victor Hugo: “There’s one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that’s an idea whose time has come.”
Industry Context and Opportunities
Globally, organic vineyards now make up 8.4% of total vineyard land, a significant rise from 1.4% in 2005. In the EU, more than 10% of all agriculture is organic. With global sales of organic wine growing by 145% from 2012 to 2022, this trend is only expected to accelerate. The global organic wine market is projected to reach $21.48 billion by 2030, growing at a rate of 10.4% annually.
In South Africa, organic wine production remains small, accounting for less than 1% of total production. However, with the country’s top international markets—UK, Germany, and the USA—already being major consumers of organic wine, the potential for growth is substantial.
Benefits of Organic Winemaking
Organic wine farming offers numerous benefits:
- It is one of the most effective tools for carbon sequestration, unlike conventional agriculture, which contributes significantly to climate change.
- Organic farming builds resilient vineyards, better equipped to withstand climate change.
- Organic wines are free from chemical pesticides, fertilizers, and other harmful synthetic chemicals, offering both health and environmental benefits.
As consumer demand for organic products continues to grow, winemakers must adapt to meet these changing consumption patterns.
Siobhan Thompson, CEO of Wines of South Africa (WOSA), expressed her support: “The formation of Organic Wines South Africa underscores the importance of sustainability in our industry, and we look forward to supporting these producers through our platforms in key markets.”
Contact Information For further details, please reach out to Alex Dale at alex@radforddale.com.
Founding Members:
- Avondale
- Joostenberg Estate
- Lazanou Organic Vineyards
- Longridge Wine Estate
- Noble Hill Wine Estate
- Org de Rac Organic Wine Estate
- Stark-Condé
- Reyneke Wines
- Radford Dale Organic Estate
- Sophie Germanier Wines
- Spier
