Discover the New Organic Wine Range: Farmer Angus Wines by Spier
Located in the heart of the Stellenbosch winelands, Spier Wine Farm proudly unveils its latest creation, the Farmer Angus wine range. This flagship collection is the product of a remarkable collaboration between Spier’s award-winning winemaking team and Angus McIntosh, a dedicated advocate of regenerative agriculture. Angus, who resides on the farm, is well-known for his ethical farming of meat, chicken, and pork. The Farmer Angus wines, crafted exclusively from grapes grown in Spier’s certified organic vineyards, symbolise the harmonious blend of nature and nurture.
A Symphony of Soil and Spirit
The essence of Farmer Angus wines lies in a profound respect for the soil. This philosophy is shared by Cellar Master Johan Jordaan and his team, whose commitment to excellence has produced some of South Africa’s finest wines. Despite the nascent stage of organic wine production in the country, Spier’s organic offerings have already garnered an impressive 42 industry accolades. Among these, the First Stone Organic Red blend received a Gold medal at the 2023 Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and an outstanding 4.5 stars in the 2023 Platter’s Wine Guide, reinforcing Spier’s position as a trailblazer in organic viticulture.
“Regenerative agriculture is my life’s work – I believe all health stems from the soil,” Angus McIntosh shares passionately. “These organic wines are the delicious culmination of a long-term partnership with the Spier team to farm in true harmony with nature.”
A Holistic Approach to Winemaking
The hallmark of the Farmer Angus wines is their holistic farming approach. The vineyards are nurtured without synthetic herbicides, fungicides, pesticides, or fertilizers. Instead, natural pest remedies and composting promote soil vitality. This dedication extends across the farm, where high-impact grazing with animals maintains a balanced ecosystem.
“We view the farm as one living ecological system,” Johan explains. “The vines are just one part of this complex web of relationships between plants, animals, and microbes in the soil. Our role is to work with nature’s rhythms, bit by bit, grape by grape and hand by hand.”
In the cellar, the grapes are treated with a gentle touch, allowing for natural fermentation. “The cellar is a nursery for completing what began in the vineyards,” Organic Winemaker Tania Kleintjies notes.
The Range
The Farmer Angus range features three distinctive and limited-release wines:
Farmer Angus Chenin Blanc (R595): Sourced from a heritage vineyard planted in 1984, this Chenin Blanc is crisp and mineral-driven, with aromas of butterscotch and apricots, and a palate of citrus and caramel. It pairs beautifully with Farmer Angus’s prosciutto.
Farmer Angus Rosé (R495): A vibrant Rosé with notes of strawberry and vanilla, followed by a palate of strawberry and coriander. This wine is a delightful companion to Farmer Angus’s Black Forest ham.
Farmer Angus Red Blend (R695): A classic Stellenbosch Red Blend featuring aromas of blackberry and chocolate, with a palate of vanilla and blackcurrant. This wine perfectly complements Farmer Angus’s grass-fed beef steak.
Nature’s Footprint
The handcrafted labels of Farmer Angus wines are adorned with vine leaf rubbings, a technique Angus learned from his mother. “This art form connects the wines back to their origins among the vines,” he reflects.
Angus’s journey into regenerative winemaking began after reading Nicolas Joly’s book, “Wine from Earth to Sky.” In 2006, he revived an abandoned Chenin Blanc vineyard at Spier, guided by biodynamic and permaculture principles. By 2014, he entrusted the winemaking process to experts Johan and Tania, focusing on holistic vineyard management.
In 2009, Angus and Orlando Filander led the conversion of all Spier vineyards to organic and biodynamic practices, achieving the first certified organic harvest in 2015. Spier also pioneered the Simonit & Sirch pruning method in South Africa, enhancing vine health and longevity.
The Farmer Angus wines are available from July at Spier’s Tasting Room, restaurants, and online store. This range embodies Spier’s unwavering commitment to crafting exceptional wine, nurtured by good people and grown in good soil.
Explore the Farmer Angus wines and experience the harmonious blend of tradition, innovation, and respect for the land.
