Winemakers On Fire, Issue #83

Greetings from Cape Town, South Africa!

In South Africa’s Stellenbosch mountains, Oldenburg Vineyards is rewriting the winemaking narrative through a radical commitment to nature. Winemaker Nic van Aarde doesn't just make wine—he orchestrates a symphony where every element plays a crucial role. By harnessing eight unique terroir elements and embracing regenerative farming, Oldenburg transforms vineyard management into an art form. Guinea fowl control pests, native plants enrich soils, and wild yeasts whisper the landscape's true story in every bottle. This isn't just sustainable winemaking; it's a bold reimagining of how we can craft exceptional wines while healing our ecosystem, one vine at a time.

"We work in complete harmony with nature," says Nic van Aarde, whose eyes light up when discussing Oldenburg's approach to winemaking.

Let’s dive in!

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been exploring some exciting ideas and concepts around the future of wine and the technology that’s driving innovation in the industry. I’m pleased to announce that we’ve now consolidated these ideas into a dedicated platform: the Terroir 2.0 website.

The Terroir 2.0 website is not just a place to learn about our approach but also a growing hub of resources, conversations, and insights about the fusion of wine and technology. I invite you to visit the site, explore its contents, and join us in this exciting journey.

Visit the Terroir 2.0 website to download our FREE Terroir 2.0 worksheet and uncork your full potential.

Nature’s Symphony: How Oldenburg Vineyards Crafts Wines in Harmony with Nature.

In the era of climate change and environmental consciousness, regenerative farming has emerged as a beacon of hope in agriculture. This holistic approach goes beyond sustainability, actively rebuilding soil health, enhancing biodiversity, and restoring ecosystem balance. At Oldenburg Vineyards, nestled in South Africa's Stellenbosch mountains, this regenerative philosophy intertwines with a unique natural advantage: their "8 Elements." 

These elements—the influence of both Indian and Atlantic Oceans, surrounding mountain ranges, a protective mountain amphitheatre, cooling winds, high elevation, distinctive soils, and their iconic Rondekop hill—create an extraordinary terroir. Under the stewardship of winemaker Nic van Aarde, these natural gifts combine with regenerative practices to produce wines that truly speak of their place. Here's how this remarkable fusion of nature and nurture is reshaping the future of winemaking.

A Philosophy Rooted in Nature

"We work in complete harmony with nature," says Nic van Aarde, whose eyes light up when discussing Oldenburg's approach to winemaking. This isn't just marketing speak—it's a fundamental philosophy that shapes every decision at this World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) Conservation Champion estate.

The journey begins in the cellar, where van Aarde maintains a notably hands-off approach. "I don't use any form of conventional yeast—only wild yeast naturally present on the grapes," he explains. "I also avoid enzymes entirely." This commitment to minimal intervention sometimes means fermentations can stretch to ten months, but van Aarde believes the results justify the patience. "The natural yeast truly expresses the coolness of our terroir and the unique character of Oldenburg vineyards."

The Eight Elements: Nature's Blueprint

Oldenburg's location is extraordinary even by Stellenbosch standards. Situated in the region's highest altitude ward, the vineyards benefit from what van Aarde calls their "superpowers"—the eight natural elements that define their terroir.

"We have granitic and sandstone soils as our foundation," van Aarde explains. "Then there's the influence of the mountain ranges and the breezes—both southeast and northwest. Our altitude plays a crucial role, and we're uniquely affected by both the cold Benguela Current and the warm Indian Current, which help control our climate."

This combination of elements creates temperatures 3-4 degrees Celsius cooler than surrounding areas, offering ideal conditions for growing premium wine grapes. The vineyard's position in what van Aarde describes as a "little cul de sac amphitheatre" surrounded by 1,600-meter mountains creates what many international wine experts have called one of the world's most stunning wine-tasting venues.

Regenerative Farming in Practice

Oldenburg's commitment to regenerative farming manifests in multiple innovative practices. The estate maintains extensive cover crop programs, planting nitrogen-fixing plants like lupins and peas alongside barley between vineyard rows. "Once these crops mature," van Aarde explains, "we roll them to create a thick natural mat. This prevents weed growth, retains soil moisture, and gradually breaks down to enrich the soil with organic matter."

The estate's no-till policy represents another crucial aspect of their regenerative approach. "Every time you plough or rake the soil, you release organic carbon into the atmosphere," van Aarde notes. Instead, they use a specialised wheat planter that creates minimal soil disturbance, planting cover crop seeds alongside organic chicken manure pellets.

Nature's Pest Control Squad

Perhaps the most fascinating aspect of Oldenburg's regenerative approach is their integration of wildlife into vineyard management. The estate maintains three flocks of Guinea fowl that naturally control snout beetles and snails. They've also introduced a small herd of Dexter cattle and indigenous Coalbrook pigs to manage vegetation between the vines during the offseason.

To combat the leafroll virus—a significant challenge in South African vineyards—van Aarde relies on natural predators rather than chemical interventions. "We release parasitic wasps and ladybirds into our vineyards," he explains. "These beneficial insects live in our indigenous fynbos corridors—strips of native fine-leaved bush that we've reintroduced throughout the property."

Investment in the Future

Oldenburg's commitment to long-term sustainability extends to their infrastructure. They've established an on-site laboratory to test vines for leafroll virus, ensuring the health of their plantings. "If we can keep our vines healthy and virus-free, we'll have vines that are 50+ years old," van Aarde explains. "It's about thinking about the future and planning for the long term."

This forward-thinking approach has led to significant replanting efforts. "We've replanted the property extensively," van Aarde notes, "adding more Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, Chenin Blanc, Merlot, and some Syrah. We've also modified our trellising systems to optimise grape quality."

From Vineyard to Bottle

In the winery, van Aarde's philosophy remains consistent with the estate's natural approach. "About 70-80% of wine quality comes from the vineyard," he emphasises. "I spend more time now in the vineyard, ensuring perfect conditions so that minimal intervention is needed in the winery."

When grapes arrive at the cellar, they undergo meticulous sorting. White varieties are whole-bunch pressed, while Bordeaux varieties receive individual berry sorting. The only addition is a minimal amount of sulfur—"way less than you'd find in store-bought orange juice," van Aarde points out.

A Vision for the Future

The results of these painstaking efforts are evident in the glass. From their celebrated Cabernet Franc to their cool-climate Chardonnay, Oldenburg's wines speak eloquently of their unique terroir. But perhaps more importantly, they stand as a testament to what's possible when a winery commits to working in partnership with nature.

"Quality is our only focus," van Aarde reflects. "When I first arrived, I asked Adrian [the owner] if I should make 10,000 bottles or 1,000 bottles of a particular blend. His response was simple: 'I don't mind if you make 500 bottles; just make the best possible wine.'"

In an age when wineries worldwide grapple with climate change and environmental challenges, Oldenburg Vineyards offers a compelling model of how traditional wisdom and innovative regenerative practices can combine to create wines that are not just sustainable but truly exceptional. Their story suggests that the future of winemaking lies not in conquering nature but in learning to dance with it.

Distilling Design: The Essence of Oldenburg Vineyards' Visual Story

Crafting a Narrative Through Elements

At the heart of Oldenburg Vineyards' brand lies a captivating design approach that transforms complex natural elements into visual poetry. Graft Branding Studio's creative team developed an innovative artwork centred on the 8 Natural Elements, turning intricate graphics from wine labels into a standalone piece that invites deeper engagement.

Reflections of Landscape

The design masterfully incorporates a mirrored background, creating an immersive experience that literally and figuratively reflects the vineyard's environment. This strategic choice allows viewers to connect intimately with the landscape, making the artwork more than just a visual display—it becomes a window into the vineyard's essence.

Beyond Minimalism: Intentional Design

What might appear minimalist at first glance is actually a carefully considered brand strategy. The design philosophy centres on using only what is truly necessary, allowing the natural beauty of the region to speak for itself. Each design element is purposefully crafted, revealing layers of thoughtfulness upon closer interaction.

A Sense of Place

The brand's aesthetic isn't about reducing design to its bare minimum but about creating a profound connection to place. Through websites, packaging, and visual touchpoints, Graft Branding Studio has captured the unique terroir of Oldenburg Vineyards—telling a rich story through seemingly simple yet deeply intentional design.

The result is a visual narrative that invites exploration, celebrates natural complexity, and proves that in design, less can indeed reveal so much more.

Did you miss last week’s newsletter? Here's what you missed...

Last week we sat down with Sandy Harper, a luminary in the South African wine industry whose journey from Cape Wine Master to respected judge and educator exemplifies the power of passion and perseverance. Through economic challenges, pandemic pivots, and the rigorous demands of wine mastery, Sandy has emerged as one of the industry's most inspiring voices.

Her story, from managing the prestigious Old Mutual Executive Wine Club to launching innovative virtual tastings during COVID-19, reveals not just her expertise in wine but her dedication to nurturing the next generation of wine professionals.

Join us as we uncork Sandy's remarkable tale.

"I take my role as wine judge very seriously," she says. "It is not about my personal preferences. It is all about finding the quality wines and allowing them to shine.”

Until next Tuesday, keep your glass full and your taste buds curious.