New producer association called Organic Wines South Africa formed
By Christian Eedes, 13 September 2024
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The formation of a new association called Organic Wines South Africa, and encompassing the core certified-organic wine producers in the country was announced on 4 September, the objectives being 1) to promote the development of sustainable production through information sharing and 2) collaborate in marketing.
There are 11 founding members namely:
Avondale
Joostenberg
Lazanou Organic Vineyards
Longridge
Noble Hill
Org de Rac
Stark-Condé
Reyneke
Radford Dale Organic
Sophie Germanier
Spier
The membership has appointed a Management Committee to develop and drive the objectives and plans for the Association. These are:
- Chairperson: Alex Dale – Radford Dale Organic
- Treasurer: Johan Reyneke – Reyneke
- Secretary : Tyrrel Myburgh – Joostenberg
The global organic wine market size is expected to reach USD 21.48 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 10.4% from 2024 to 2030. In 2022, 8.4% of the global vineyard was organic, up from 1.4% in 2005 (according to Organic World).
IWSR (International Wine and Spirits Record) reports that global sales of organic wine have grown from 29 million cases in 2012 to 71 million cases in 2022 (+145%) and are said to be in an exponential growth phase. Sales of non-organic wine over this period fell from 2.4 billion cases to 2.06 billion cases (-14.2%) and continue to decline.
In South Africa, it is estimated that there are currently between 24 to 36 organic wineries, counting for only a small fraction of total production, below 1%. Organic Wines SA wants to develop the sector with a view to claiming more market share.
Contact for further information send an email to: alex@radforddale.com
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FrankH | 16 September 2024
Congrats to this major step! Am sure this will give the movement a push in South African and international markets, where more and more consumers (and wine bars, upscale restaurants etc.) favor organic wines. Hopefully more wineries will follow soon. Great to see South Africa on the map.
Alex Dale | 15 September 2024
The full Press Release is available here :
https://www.organicwinessouthafrica.co.za/file/pdf/press_release_2024_09.pdf
Alex Dale | 14 September 2024
Hi Jos,
frustration rather than condescension is more apt…
I have no idea why the complete information contained in the Press Release was not published in the article. I’m sure it was innocent, simply to be succinct, and did not anticipate anything other than an enthusiastic reception for this news.
importantly, my contact details were published in the article for ‘more information’. None of those individuals contacted me for more information.
I have sent the full release to the one person who commented whose details I possess. If you would also like to receive it, please let me have your details.
Perhaps we can refocus on the fact that this Association is a very positive development for the South African wine industry ? It will be highly inclusive, positive and dynamic. Organic viticulture, so firmly established today in the leading vineyard regions of the world, is now also gaining traction in South Africa. From a low base currently, the momentum is all positive…
Here’s an extract from the actual Press Release :
Commenting on the advent of Organic Wines South Africa, co-founder and Treasurer Johan Reyneke quoted novelist Victor Hugo by saying : “There’s one thing stronger than all the armies in the world and that’s an idea whose time has come”.
Alex Dale | 14 September 2024
Hi gents.
1. All founding members are certified, as is stipulated as a requirement in our Press release. This is not a marketing term.
2. Website is under creation. One of our members is creating this in house to save cost and it will come live during October. It will include a Charter, explaining our purpose and objectives more fully. Meanwhile the press release already covers our general purpose.
3. The Biodynamic and Organic site Mike refers to is not an association but an effort to keep a database of certified farmers and winemakers, updated by my team, in order to try and establish a list of all producers working organically/biodynamically. There is no official database. We do this free of charge, to be helpful. Perhaps Mike could take this over on a voluntary basis, as we have been doing for a few years for the greater benefit of the Industry ? If you know of any omissions, please let me know and we will gladly add them.
4. Membership of the Association will be open, as stated in the release, to any willing producer certified organic, certified biodynamic or certified organic regenerative.
5. The Association is less than 2 weeks old. We fully expect more producers to join and look forward to that.
6. The winemag.co.za piece above does not reproduce the Press Release in its entirety so many facts and information provided have been left out, for some reason.
7. Please feel free to engage with me in person if you’d like direct answers rather than gossiping online. My email address is provided in the article.
Jos | 14 September 2024
Not sure why you’re being so condescending when the questions posed seem pretty reasonable… it’s not their fault that the release posted here doesn’t include all information.
Udo | 14 September 2024
Sounds like a good plan, but news released a bit early? Without a website and the public not knowing what ” the objectives and plans” are?
Assuming members are all certified but that is not stated in the press release?
Missing some certified wineries, have they declined membership?
Mike Froud of Top Wine SA | 13 September 2024
Interesting. But no website address? How will this association differ from Biodynamic & Organic Wine South Africa ‘Cultivated by Radford Dale’ that has been around for a while? Their website: biodynamicorganicwine.co.za – and will there be an SA organic wine festival anytime soon?
Andrew Gunn | 14 September 2024
Good point Mike, as a matter of interest, how many founding members are certified organic?
Hopefully the marketing over use of “organic” will now be controlled, a good initiative.