Winemakers On Fire, Issue #107

Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa!

Behind every groundbreaking winery stands a constellation of remarkable individuals who transform vision into reality. This week, we venture into the heart of South Africa's Western Cape to discover Radford Dale—where organic viticulture meets extraordinary human stories. Founded in 1998, this pioneering estate has quietly revolutionised sustainable winemaking through the dedication of exceptional women leading from behind the scenes.

From operations mastermind Heather Whitman to financial visionary Kathleen Krone and talented winemakers Petroné Thomas and Stefanie Viviers, these professionals are redefining what it means to craft wine with purpose. Their journey reveals that true sustainability encompasses environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and unwavering commitment to excellence.

Here's where it gets interesting.

Regenerative Pioneers: The Women Transforming Radford Dale Wines Beyond Sustainability.

In the vineyards of South Africa's Western Cape, a transformation is taking place that's as subtle as a shift in the breeze yet as profound as the changing seasons. Radford Dale, founded by pioneers Ben Radford and Alex Dale in 1998, has quietly positioned itself at the forefront of South Africa's organic wine movement. What makes this story particularly fascinating isn't just their commitment to sustainable viticulture but the remarkable women who are driving this change from behind the scenes.

The Organic Vision Takes Root

When Alex Dale first arrived in South Africa in 1994, just three months after Nelson Mandela became president, the country's wine industry was awakening from decades of isolation. Fast forward to today, and Dale's vision has evolved into something that extends far beyond making fine wine. As chairperson of the newly formed Organic Wines South Africa, he's championing a movement that once seemed improbable in a country where conventional viticulture still dominates.

"South Africa has done so much to catch up with the rest of the wine world over the past 30 years, but we are still behind with our viticulture," Dale explains. While the country now boasts dozens of exceptional young winemakers crafting world-class wines, the culture hasn't always prioritised growing the best possible fruit. This is where Radford Dale's organic journey begins.

The commitment became tangible during the height of the Covid pandemic when the opportunity arose to purchase a twenty-hectare farm in Elgin that had never seen pesticides. It was a gamble during uncertain times, but one that has paid off handsomely. Today, Radford Dale is the only certified organic producer in this cool-climate region.

The Women Behind the Wine

What truly distinguishes Radford Dale is the formidable team of women who translate Dale's vision into reality. At the heart of operations sits Heather Whitman, whose official title as Operations Manager barely scratches the surface of her contributions.

"It's always hard for me to put into words what I do, because my job is so complex in many ways," Whitman reflects. "When the winemaking is done, I take over everything regarding packaging, labelling, warehousing, shipping, and importing."

Her reputation for making the impossible possible has earned her a nickname within the industry. "Our suppliers made me a mug that says 'Call Whitman, she'll know,'" she laughs. Her ability to transform a Friday order into a Wednesday shipment through sheer determination and logistics wizardry is legendary within the company.

Then there's Kathleen Krone, whose role as financial mastermind has evolved far beyond mere number-crunching. Once solely focused on profit margins, her perspective has transformed alongside the company's organic journey.

"I was doing my articles in the 90s, and back then, it was all about profits. There was no other reason for doing anything in business," Krone recounts. "Now it's a very different world. Profits only make up one leg of the chair. Sustainability is far more important. People are far more important."

The Organic Challenge

The transition to organic wine production hasn't been without its challenges. Petroné Thomas, Radford Dale's talented winemaker, explains that organic winemaking requires a different level of attention.

"Where we would handle conventional cellar batches, batch by batch, in Elgin we handle it barrel by barrel," Thomas explains. "Every barrel has its own character, its own attitude, believe me. And that's where we have to take care of every single barrel by itself."

The administrative burden is substantial too. "Whenever there's an issue during harvest and we want to add a product to keep the wine safe, we cannot simply do so. We have to first apply and ask if we can use that product, and then our certifying body approves it."

Despite these challenges, Thomas appreciates the advantages of working with Elgin's terroir. "If you work in the correct climate and with the right cultivars, then many problems are already resolved."

When asked if organic winemaking is genuinely more difficult, Thomas doesn't hesitate: "Yes, it's definitely much more difficult." She highlights the importance of traceability — the cornerstone of organic certification. "Paper never lies," she quips. "If you've got the proof, we'll say, Well, there it is."

The Next Generation of Winemakers

This commitment to organic practices is evident across the Radford Dale team. Stefanie Viviers, the assistant winemaker, represents a new generation of South African vintners embracing sustainability.

Unlike many in the industry, Viviers didn't grow up surrounded by vineyards. "Winemaking is a passion that found me," she explains. Originally from Gauteng, she began studying engineering at Stellenbosch University before being captivated by the winelands. "I fell in love with the soul and how passionate the people are about their careers. I never thought you could be passionate about a career."

Although her parents initially encouraged her to stick with engineering, a harvest at Spier during COVID convinced them of her dedication. "It's getting your hands dirty. It's not glamorous. You don't get to have nice hands. But it's what I want to do, and it's humbling."

On the topic of organic versus conventional winemaking, Viviers is thoughtful: "I've always been aware of us as humans, our impact on the earth. And I really am thankful that I am getting exposed to organic wines. I agree with the movement, and I do feel it's the right thing to do, essentially. It's ethically and environmentally responsible."

Land of Hope: A Legacy of Education

Beyond their commitment to environmental sustainability, Radford Dale has demonstrated a profound dedication to social responsibility. About 18 years ago, Heather Whitman and Alex Dale established the Land of Hope educational trust to support the previously disadvantaged individuals within the company.

The trust enables children of Radford Dale employees to attend any school, including private institutions, with all expenses covered. "Now, 17 years later, we've put a generation through the trust," Whitman notes proudly. "It's the grandchildren in the trust now."

With an annual budget of around 600,000 rand supporting 14 individuals, the impact has been transformative. Kathleen Krone underscores the significance: "It takes the pressure off the parents. Schooling nowadays, especially in normal government schools, has 50 children in a class. To be able to send students to private education, to smaller classes, to get dedicated teachers that actually listen to you, instead of just being a voice in a big room — it's been a phenomenal change."

The trust has produced impressive success stories: a fashion designer from the Elizabeth Galloway School of Fashion, a current psychology graduate at Helderberg College, and even a professional soccer player who has represented Sundowners, one of South Africa's top teams.

What makes this initiative particularly remarkable is its funding structure. Unlike many corporate social responsibility projects that rely on external support, Land of Hope is entirely self-funded through the profits from the sale of dedicated wine labels. 

The trust's credibility is further enhanced by the involvement of John Platter, who founded the prestigious Platter Guide. As the independent trustee since the trust's inception, his involvement speaks volumes about the programme's integrity. "It's the only wine industry-related trust organisation that he's been involved with," explains Whitman. "Because he believes in the work that we're doing."

Looking to the Future

As founding members of Organic Wines South Africa, Radford Dale are helping to establish rigorous standards for the industry. The association's twelve members follow stringent EU rules and offer a collaborative approach to converts.

The biggest challenge, according to the team, is changing perceptions. "The biggest challenge is to make people realise that it's not just about the money, the cost of doing the conversion," one team member explains. "It's about doing the right thing for the planet. The product that you're producing is better for you and for your body as a whole."

Education remains crucial — not just for consumers, but for producers as well. "A lot of nasties can be hidden in a bottle of wine," notes Krone. "The difference is with foods that we eat, you need to specify ingredients, whereas with wine, you don't need to specify ingredients."

The journey ahead looks promising. With younger consumers increasingly concerned about environmental impacts, the market for organic wine continues to grow. As Radford Dale demonstrates, sustainability isn't just good ethics — it's good business too.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about Radford Dale's transformation isn't the organic certification or the award-winning wines—it's the quiet confidence with which these women are rewriting the rules. In an industry often dominated by grand gestures and bold proclamations, they've chosen a different path: proving that real change happens not through fanfare, but through the accumulation of countless careful decisions. Their legacy won't be measured in headlines, but in the generation of winemakers who will inherit a healthier planet and a more inclusive industry.

Diving into the stories that have been fermenting since our last newsletter...

In an industry often driven by market signals, the Swartland Revolution reminds us of marketing's true essence: creating markets, not just following them. This week, we explore how a small band of visionary winemakers transformed an overlooked region known for wheat fields and bulk wine into a globally recognised fine wine destination. Their story isn't just about exceptional winemaking—it's about category creation, collective strength, and the power of authentic vision.

As we raise our glasses to these accidental marketers who turned "meh" into "must-have", consider what lessons their bold approach holds for wine regions and producers everywhere.

Get ready to be inspired.

Let’s raise a glass to the fortnight ahead—may it bring you brilliant wines and more conversations to share in our next edition.