Estate Living Digital Publication Issue 5 May 2015 | Page 12

“ From the farmer right through to the consumer, sustainable farming is all about making things simple and easy THE VINES 10 indigenous fynbos.” As the first organic wine farm to achieve BWI (Biodiversity and Wine Initiative) Champion status, all the vineyards at Waverley Hills are irrigated with pure mountain spring water and their Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier 2010 won the Platinum Michelangelo Award last year, proof that organic wine can compete on all wine award levels and can age just as well. Yet quality is not just measured by taste and awards. All certified organic wine producers in South Africa are audited annually against local and international regulations. Our domestic market offers both uncertified organic and certified organic wines, which usually have a logo on the back of the bottle. “Certification by internationally recognised certification bodies like LACON and EcoCert is important to us and our clients, as it verifies that we are doing everything we are claiming to be doing,” says Kobus du Toit, owner of Waverley Hills. “ “Selling into such a specific market, with heightened regulatory and consumer oversight, requires commitment and attention to detail, but the rewards are definitely worth it,” says Leé Griffin, brand and marketing director of Stellar Winery. “There is definitely greater international demand; the top 5 countries consuming organic wines being the United States, followed by Germany, France, Canada and the United Kingdom.” Back home and there is a lot more work to be done. “In South Africa, the growing interest in organic wine comes from the more sophisticated, educated and environmentally sensitive and aware drinker,” says Josef. Organic wines shows just what wonders Mother Nature can create with as little human and scientific interference as possible From the farmer right through to the consumer, sustainable farming is all about making things simple, easy and worth raising a glass to. Contact Details: Lazanou Organic Vineyards Tel: [phone] www.lazanou.co.za Email: [email protected] Waverley Hills Organic Wines Tel: [phone] www.waverleyhills.co.za Email: [email protected] Stellar Organic Winery Tel: [phone] www.stellarorganics.com Email: [email protected] Simply like the Estate Living Facebook page and join our mailing list to stand a chance to win a case of organic wines from Lazanou Organic Vineyards. Competition closes 20. 06. 2015. Winner to be announced in the next issue. T&C apply.