Tuesday, 20 October, 2026
The Drinks Business, Patrick Schmitt
Stellenbosch-based Vinimark has given Stellar, one of South Africa’s pioneering certified organic wine producers, a new identity, a more focused range and a renewed emphasis on wine quality. It is also bringing back Running Duck, Stellar’s more playful brand, with the aim of drawing a younger audience into organic wine.
Speaking to Wineland after the deal, Vinimark CEO Eckhardt Gerber said the acquisition was “not about expansion for its own sake”, describing it instead as a way to secure certified supply. The company also said that the move strengthens its position in organic and no-added-sulphur wines, where international demand is growing.
The changes include new labels built around the Southern Cross motif, capital investment at the winery outside Vredendal in the Olifants River region, and a Stellar sparkling wine due in 2027.
Continue reading.