A world first! South Africa introduces old vine hertitage certification
MOST WINE lovers are familiar with the ‘Certified’ seal on the neck of most bottles of South African wine, the sticker indicating that the variety, vintage and area that the grapes come from have been checked and confirmed by the country’s Wine and Spirit Board. In fact, with the help of SAWIS, the numbers on the seal make it possible to track the wine all the way back to the actual vineyard(s) from which it originated. And from this year, for the first time, SA wine producers whose grapes come from vineyards that were established over 35 years ago are being encouraged to fix an additional sticker to their bottles on which the exact age of the vines is given.
Members* of the Old Vine Project can now put a ‘Certified Heritage Vineyards’ seal on those bottles of wine that originate from blocks that are at least 35 years old. The seal states the year that the vines were planted and denotes a guarantee that the methods of production complied with the Project’s viticultural and winemaking guidelines. Many growers have tended to uproot and replant when their vines are 20 to 30 years old, as their yield declines. The mission of the Old Vines Project (OVP) is not only to preserve old Cape vines but also to develop a culture of caring for younger vines such that they will be healthy and productive in their old age.
Some of the most exciting new wines in South Africa originate from old vines, the fruit from which had previously been used with little consideration for how its character differs from that taken off young vines, with farmers previously receiving zero incentive to continue putting up with low yields. Sponsored by billionaire businessman Johann Rupert, whose family has long been involved in the wine industry, the OVP was formalised in 2016 and today an increasing number of wines from older vineyards are receiving both local and international acclaim.
According to OVP vineyard consultant Rosa Kruger, there are fewer than 3000 hectares in the Cape planted to vines that are more than 35 years old and very few vineyards that are over 100. The search continues for very mature vines with the potential to produce wines of great interest, monuments to the love that farmers have for their land. “Do old vines make better wine? I believe they very often do. Age in vines brings an intensity, a perceived freshness, a texture and a sense of place. They show less fresh fruit and varietal character, and more terroir and soil.”
OVP marketing consultant André Morgenthal says that: “The time has arrived for the feel-good stories of vineyards and heritage to be complemented by tangible initiatives to add value to the old vine custodians and the greater industry.” Research has commenced to ascertain consumer perception of old-vine wines through a joint venture between the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business, Winetech and the University of Stellenbosch. And among the other initiatives, the Stellenbosch University’s Institute for Wine Biotechnology is collaborating with the Chenin Blanc Association in researching the unique qualities of old-vine Chenin.
* Current members of the Old Vine Project are as follows, together with where they are based:
AJ Du Toit – Voor Paardeberg, Paarl
Alheit Vineyards – Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge
Allée Bleue – Franschhoek
Anthonij Rupert Wyne – Franschhoek
Bellevue Wine Estate – Bottelary, Stellenbosch
Bellingham (DGB) – Franschhoek/Wellington
Boekenhoutskloof Winery – Franschhoek
Bosman Adama Family Wines – Wellington
Cecilia Wines – Klawer, Olifants River
Daschbosch – Rawsonville, Breedekloof
David en Nadia – Malmesbury, Swartland
DeMorgenzon – Stellenbosch Kloof
Fairview Wines – Paarl
Gabriëlskloof – Bot River
Hogan Wines – Stellenbosch
Huis van Chevallerie – Malmesbury, Swartland
Koelenhof Wynkelder – Stellenbosch
Kruger Family Wines – Stellenbosch
Lammershoek – Malmesbury, Swartland
Meerendal Wine Estate – Durbanville
Metzer Family Wines – Somerset West
Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines – Riebeek Kasteel
Naude Family Wine Company – Stellenbosch
Reyneke Wines – Polkadraai Hills, Stellenbosch
Sadie Family Wines – Malmesbury, Swartland
Spice Route Wines – Paarl/Malmesbury, Swartland
Terracura – Voor Paardeberg, Paarl
Thorne and Daughters Wines – Bot River
Villiera Wines – Koelenhof, Stellenbosch
Waterford Estate – Helderberg, Stellenbosch
Wolvenhoek – Wellington
The certification system, and the seal, is indeed fully traceable right back to the farm where the grapes came from and, in the case of single vineyard wine, even right back to the block. Unfortunately, because of the fact that it is an individual entity’s information and as we may not release confidential information without the individual’s consent, the full traceback is not supplied on the [SAWIS] website.