Spier Wine Farm
South Africa
About
Established in 1692, Spier is one of South Africa’s oldest – and most accoladed – family-owned working wine farms. The farm’s philosophy is centred on genuine respect for the land and a desire to express the exceptional Cape terroir. Spier’s Growing for Good initiatives empower communities to create positive social and environmental change. From art and entrepreneurship to regenerative farming, Spier aims to reach a net zero-aligned carbon emission target by 2030. The winery produces six ranges of award-winning wines - including organic wines.
Certifications
Winemaker
Anthony Kock
“To succeed in winemaking, you have to love it – it’s more of a passion than a job,” says Anthony Kock, Spier’s senior white winemaker since 2002. “Without good grapes, you can’t make good wine – that’s why it’s really important to know your vineyards intimately,” says Anthony. “Everything else flows on from there.” Anthony is passionate about making Chenin Blanc – believed to be the first grape ever planted in the Cape. “South Africa is a strong match for the French styles: it's white wines are elegant and fruity but also rich and ripe - with the structure and majesty that comes from time in the barrel.” “Chenin keeps you on your toes,” he says. The cultivar is a little unpredictable, especially when growing in an old vineyard. “We’ve got to be flexible and willing to adapt. We can’t follow the same recipe each year – every vintage is different.” While that may be true, the results are certainly consistent. Since the first vintage – 2010 – the 21 Gables Chenin Blanc has garnered acclaim, both locally and abroad. The 2016 vintage received the International Wine and Spirit Competition’s 2018 Chenin Blanc Trophy – beating all other Chenin Blanc wines entered into this competition to be crowned the world’s best. At the Old Mutual Trophy Wine Show, it won the Harold Eedes Trophy for Best Chenin Blanc and received the Trophy for Best White Wine Overall.
Viticulturist
Bennie Liebenberg
Bennie Liebenberg grew up in Paarl, and studied at the University of Stellenbosch. Since graduating, he has worked in dozens of vineyards including those which provide grapes for Nederburg, Pongrácz and Fleur du Cap wines. He joined the Spier winemaking team in July 2019.
“As the old vines which provide fruit for our 21 Gables Chenin are farmed dryland (without irrigation), the climate has the ultimate say in what is delivered. Fortunately, their deep roots and small, thick-skinned berries mean they are remarkably resilient,” says Liebenberg.
He adds: “They do, however, require careful attention: every year we prune and sucker them to ensure we get an optimally balanced crop. By managing the vineyard this way, we are ensuring it will still produce top quality grapes for many years to come.”
