In 2019, wine.co.za started dedicating the month of April, Freedom Month, to showcase all the good being done by the South African wine industry. Over the past few years, we have published a story a day during April; stories of change, conservation, empowerment, and upliftment. South African wineries are changing lives in the winelands and beyond, and you can support their efforts by drinking their wines. Here are ten of our top picks.
Bosman Adama White
The story of Bosman Adama is written by the 260 workers who own a significant piece of the land they have tended for generations. In a landmark deal, Bosman Family Vineyards transferred 26% ownership of their winery and Africa’s largest vine nursery to a workers' trust – the most significant empowerment milestone in the South African wine industry. This spirit of partnership continues through the Adama Foundation, a communal fund for vital community projects like the Bovlei Community Centre. A percentage of every bottle of Bosman Adama and Fairtrade wine sold goes directly to this foundation, ensuring that the local community share in the rewards of the harvest. The 2025 Bosman Adama White is a vibrant blend of Chenin Blanc and other white varieties like Viura, Vermentino, and Grenache Blanc. It is a wine that proves the whole is truly greater than the sum of its parts, offering a taste of genuine progress and deep respect for the earth.
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Francis Pinot Noir
After a career-ending injury, former professional rugby player Burton Francis traded the rugby field for a career in winemaking, inspired by his years living and playing rugby professionally in France. Back home in Hemel-en-Aarde, he's now collaborating with Kevin Grant of Ataraxia Wines to produce the Francis Wines range, consisting of a Chenin Blanc and and Pinot Noir. The popular 2023 Francis Pinot Noir was awarded 92 points by Tim Atkin. This small-production wine is all about finesse – offering earthy spice and vibrant red cherry, rhubarb, and plum. It's velvety and generous on the palate, with a savoury structure and an understated complexity that shows true cool-climate character. More than just a great wine, every bottle makes a real difference. Through the Francis Academy, 5% of each purchase goes toward rugby training, educational opportunities, and wine industry training for local youth. Give the next generation a genuine head start. Shop Francis Pinot Noir, a world-class red wine that does a world of good.
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Great Heart Chardonnay
Great Heart Wines is a story of shared ownership and genuine transformation rooted in the soil of the Western Cape. Established in 2020, the winery is 100% owned and run by the staff of Mullineux and Leeu Passant – meaning the people who nurture the vineyards are the ones who own the brand and profit from its success. Under the skilled hand of winemaker Gynore Hendricks, a graduate of the CWG Protégé Programme, the Great Heart Chardonnay 2023 captures this collective spirit beautifully. It offers enticing notes of lemon rind, crisp Golden Delicious apples, and toasted melba, balanced by a racy acidity and a rich, brioche-like mid-palate. By purchasing this wine, you are directly investing in a model of equity that empowers the hands behind the harvest. Experience a Chardonnay that is as meaningful as it is delicious. Buy a bottle of Great Heart – it is a world-class wine that honours those who make it possible and ensures a brighter future for the entire community.
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Leopard's Leap Pardus
A proud supporter of the Cape Leopard Trust since its inception, Leopard's Leap is passionate about the plight of the threatened but tenacious leopard of the Cape. In 2018, they introduced Pardus by Hein Koegelenberg to salute these magnificent cats. "Pardus" is the Latin word for leopard, and this majestic red blend captures some of the leopard's charismatic play between intensity and elegance. The 2023 Pardus – the fifth vintage of this label – is made from 57% Merlot, 15% Cinsault, and 28% Cabernet Sauvignon. Pardus is a sophisticated and elegant wine with great balance between the fruitiness, oak and spices. It lingers with a long finish, making it a well-structured and balanced wine. Elegance captured in a bottle. Toast to the King of the Cape Mountains with Leopard's Leap Pardus 2023.
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Painted Wolf Lycaon Pinotage
Jeremy and Emma Borg created a wine brand that not only makes delicious wines but also focuses on wildlife conservation. Launched in 2007, Painted Wolf Wines raises funds and promotes the conservation of Southern Africa's most critically endangered carnivore, the African wild dog (also known as the painted wolf). Over the years, Painted Wolf Wines has raised over R4 million for African wild dog conservation. One of their wine ranges is Lycaon Pictus, named after the rare and beautiful painted wolf. Painted Wolf Lycaon Pinotage 2022 is made from our country's heritage grapes sourced from a certified single vineyard at 700-750m above sea level. This Pinotage tells a story of place: long ripening, low yields, and quiet concentration. It has layered red berry fruit and spice aromas with a lively, rich palate. Support the plight of the African wild dogs and buy Painted Wolf Lycaon Pinotage 2022.
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Rhino Run Cerato Chenin Blanc
Since 2008, nearly 8 000 rhinos have been lost to poaching, pushing these icons of the wild back into a fight for survival. At Van Loveren, a family-owned wine estate rooted in the land, the Rhino Run range was created to turn the tide. This initiative has already contributed over R600 000 to SANParks, with 1.5% of every bottle sold directly funding critical anti-poaching efforts. Named after Ceratotherium simum (white rhino), the Rhino Run Cerato Chenin Blanc 2025 honours the majestic white rhino with a profile of graceful strength. This crisp, bright white reveals layers of citrus, stone fruit, and tropical notes – a result of partial barrel fermentation that creates a creamy yet balanced palate with a refreshing finish of preserved lemon. Every sip is a commitment to conservation and a story of hope. Join the cause of protecting these legends by purchasing Rhino Run – a wine where every glass helps preserve our natural heritage for future generations.
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Spier Good Natured Organic Sauvignon Blanc
Choosing Spier Wine Farm's Good Natured Organic Sauvignon Blanc is a simple way to make a real difference for our planet. At the heart of Spier’s Growing For Good initiative is a commitment to regenerative farming – where bees, birds, and cover crops replace artificial pesticides and fertilizers to keep the soil healthy and vibrant. This isn't just about making great wine; it’s about a transparent, ethical supply chain verified by global standards like WIETA and Amfori BSCI. Every bottle you open supports a farm that works in harmony with nature to protect our precious ecosystems for the future. The wine itself is a bright, vegan-friendly expression of the land – bursting with lively notes of grapefruit, litchi, and gooseberries. It is an approachable, easy-drinking white that proves you do not have to compromise on quality to be kind to the earth. By making this choice, you are helping Spier unlock nature’s potential while ensuring it stays wild and well.
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Thokozani CH14 Cabernet Franc
Thokozani is more than a label; it is a profound story of empowerment rooted in the heart of Wellington. Launched in 2002 by David Sonnenberg at Diemersfontein, this visionary project reached a historic milestone in 2020 when the staff acquired a majority 55% share in the company. Today, that spirit of resilience is beautifully captured in the CH14 Cabernet Franc 2023 – a tribute to the late Blue Bulls rugby legend and Wellington local, Cornal Hendricks (18 April 1988 – 14 May 2025). Mirroring the passion and determination Cornal showed on the field, this wine celebrates a life lived with unwavering heart. Every bottle sold carries his legacy forward, with all proceeds dedicated to the Cornal Hendricks Academy to support and uplift talented children from rural communities. We invite you to experience this exceptional Cabernet Franc and support a cause that turns challenges into victories. Purchase your bottle of CH14 to help nurture South Africa's next generation of stars.
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Thunderchild
In 1918, in the wake of the Great Flu Epidemic, an orphanage, Die Herberg, was built by the Robertson community for the children left orphaned and destitute. The Thunderchild Project is a testament to this legacy. Local wine farmers created the Thunderchild Red Blend, a wine with a profound sense of place and purpose. Sourced from a five-hectare vineyard on the grounds of Die Herberg, this wine is a classical blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Crafted with minimal intervention – using native yeasts and uncrushed berries before aging in French oak – the wine is bottled unfiltered to capture its raw, honest elegance. What makes Thunderchild truly remarkable is its heart: 100% of the profits are donated to Die Herberg to fund the care and education of children from vulnerable backgrounds. Experience this exceptional red and become part of its story. Buy your bottle of Thunderchild today to support the children of Die Herberg.
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Visio Vintners Alliance
Visio Vintners is a black-owned wine brand and company based in Stellenbosch. It was launched in 2018 through a partnership between the Kleine Zalze Empowerment Trust and Kleine Zalze Wines. This collaboration is a genuine move toward economic empowerment, focusing on skills transfer in wine farming, winemaking, and wine marketing to create sustainable opportunities. While the trust and winery co-own the company, the trust holds the majority share. The brand's standout wine is the ultra-premium Visio Vintners Alliance red blend. The 2022 Alliance is a soulful combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Shiraz – offering layers of dark fruit, spice, and the characteristic elegance of the Stellenbosch terroir. It is a wine crafted with immense pride by those who know the land best. When you buy a bottle, you're supporting a vision of shared prosperity for the beneficiaries and their families.
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Good news stories abound in the South African Winelands. The #wineforgood campaign, launched by wine.co.za in June 2016, is all about sharing these uplifting stories. We dedicate the month of April to our #wineforgood campaign each year, sharing a good news story every day. Join us in spreading the good news about South African wine. If you'd like to submit a story, please email editor@wine.co.za. For more stories, visit www.wineforgood.co.za.