Leading organic wine producers have united to form Organic Wines South Africa (OWSA), marking a significant step toward sustainable viticulture in the region. We talked to newly appointed treasurer Johane Reyneke about embracing organic.
Formally established on September 4th, 2024, the association brings together 11 founding members representing the country’s core certified organic wine estates.
“There’s one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that’s an idea whose time has come,” says Johan Reyneke of Reyneke Wines, quoting Victor Hugo. As one of South Africa’s pioneering organic wine producers and OWSA’s newly appointed treasurer, Johan sees this initiative as a natural response to changing global consciousness about sustainable agriculture.
The formation of OWSA comes at a crucial time when global organic wine sales have shown remarkable growth, increasing by 145% from 29 million cases in 2012 to 71 million cases in 2022. In contrast, conventional wine sales declined by 14.2% during the same period, signalling a clear shift in consumer preferences.
“Consumption patterns are changing worldwide, and consequently, production must follow,” Johan says. “The wine industry is witnessing a fundamental transformation in how consumers think about what they drink, and more importantly, how it’s produced.”
Johan offers candid insights from his extensive experience with the transition to organic farming, “The main challenges are similar worldwide. For organic systems to flourish, you need healthy, living soils and ecosystems. Therefore, the transition phase can be quite daunting as using herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, and artificial fertilisers has the opposite effect on soils and ecosystems.”
He emphasises that success requires both knowledge and understanding. “There is a difference between knowledge and understanding; any new project comes with teething problems and school fees to pay. However, those who persevere reap the long-term benefits thereof.”
He is particularly passionate about the environmental benefits of organic farming. “Organic farming is all about mitigation and adaptation to climate change,” he explains. “Conventional agriculture is one of the 5 biggest drivers of climate change, and consequently, if one does this in a genuinely regenerative way, it becomes one of the best tools available to mankind to help somehow mitigate the situation.
“From an adaptation point of view, organic farms have higher humus levels, which in turn leads to more resilient soils and plants that are better able to withstand the challenges of climate change.”
The association has appointed a strong management committee, with Alex Dale of Radford Dale Organic Estate as Chairperson, Johan Reyneke as Treasurer, and Tyrrel Myburgh of Joostenberg Estate as Secretary. Together, they will drive the association’s mission to promote sustainable production methods and collaborate on domestic and international collective marketing initiatives.
Addressing concerns about greenwashing in the industry, Johan is unequivocal about the association’s standards. “We only accept members fully certified by a transparent, internationally recognised, organic certification body. We’re keen to help and assist those in transition, but they must get verified third-party certification to qualify as a member.”
South Africa’s organic wine sector currently represents less than 1% of total production, with only two to three dozen organic wineries. However, with global organic vineyard area reaching 8.4% in 2022 and organic agriculture projected to represent over one-third of the industry within a generation, OWSA sees significant growth potential for South African organic wines.
The timing is particularly favourable as South Africa’s top three international markets, the UK, Germany, and the USA, are among the world’s leading consumers of organic wine. The global organic wine market is expected to reach USD 21.48 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2024.
Looking ahead, Johan outlines the association’s dual mission. “Our short-term goal is to give a voice to genuinely organic producers, organic-regenerative, and/or biodynamically certified. Our long-term goal is to encourage and assist as many producers as possible to farm in a way that mitigates climate change and fosters biodiversity. At the same time, they simultaneously create robust farming systems that can withstand the challenges that lie ahead.”
The founding members of OWSA include Avondale, Joostenberg Estate, Lazanou Organic Vineyards, Longridge Wine Estate, Noble Hill Wine Estate, Org de Rac Organic Wine Estate, Stark-Condé, Reyneke Wines, Radford Dale Organic Estate, Sophie Germanier Wines, and Spier. These established estates will form the cornerstone of South Africa’s organic wine movement, setting standards for sustainable viticulture and environmental stewardship in the region.
For more information about Organic Wines South Africa, interested parties can contact alex@radforddale.com.
