The new 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 return 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. As a bonus, the wines include leading local and international ethical certifications (including WIETA and amfori BSCI).
To celebrate the arrival of the Good Natured range, the Spier Tasting Room has launched an Organic Wine Tasting. From 1 September - 31 October, visitors 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.
For more information about Good Natured, visit www.spier.co.za.
ABOUT THE WINES
The organically grown grapes for the Good Natured Sauvignon Blanc 2022 grow in two vineyard blocks four and six years in age and 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. 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.
ABOUT SPIER
One of South Africa’s oldest wine farms and a well-known Western Cape landmark, Spier is still a family-owned winery three centuries after its establishment in 1692.
With each bottle of Spier wine purchased, you help support Spier's Growing for Good initiatives that empower communities to create positive social and environmental change.
Today, Spier has a fresh, conscious energy focused on art and good, ethical farming. It produces six ranges of award-winning wines and is a WWF Conservation Champion and a member of the Wine Industry Ethical Trade Associations (WIETA). The winery is FSSC 22000, organically certified, and holds a Control Union Vegan Standard certification.
