Brief, intense and yielding expressive young wines. This was the take-out from harvest 2020 on Org de Rac, the organic wine estate in the heart of the Swartland situated just before the town of Piketberg. As harvesting heads towards completion, cellar master Frank Meaker says it was, climate-wise, an erratic season which made initial predictions as to the yields and quality impossible until the grapes landed and the first juices began fermenting.
“Like most of the Cape wine region, Org de Rac also experienced a gentle, slow growing season from September 2019 with a relatively cool spring devoid of the spikes in temperature that can create havoc on the early growth cycle,” says Meaker. “Unfortunately, the cold fronts that hit Cape Town and environs in winter and spring decided to give our part of the Swartland a wide berth, meaning our rainfall for last year was a modest 150mm. Fortunately we have enough irrigation water, but we missed the cold units of winter enjoyed by other areas.”
When things did begin to heat-up in the new year, Org de Rac’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, some 50km to the west, helped cool things down. “Our farm also has the fortune of experiencing wide-ranging diurnal temperature,” says Meaker. “When day time temperatures hit 36°C, the air cools to between 16°C and 18°C overnight. This gives the vines time to take a breather and the grapes a chance to revive.”
Org de Rac’s 44ha of organic vineyards are planted to Chardonnay, Verdelho, Roussanne and Chenin Blanc on the white side and on the red Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Mourvèdre and Grenache. The wine offering includes varietal-specific wines, as well as various blends, including the premier award-winning Waghuis range.
“Having been farmed organically since it was purchased twenty years ago this year, Org de Rac’s wine are truly beginning to show the benefits of continuous organic, natural vineyard farming,” says Meaker. “Even in a year such as this, when the ripening season experience some truly hot days, the grapes show health, balance and life. We have a meticulous sorting process at the cellar, so after the few shrivelled berries – a result of the heat – are removed, what remained were firm, juicy grapes showing focussed phenolic ripeness.”
Despite the heat, acids are firm, with the red varieties showing brisk tannins and balanced pH levels.
“The varieties are showing text-book characteristics,” says Meaker. “From Chardonnay to Verdelho, the white wines are bracing, expressive and fresh. Red wines show terrific colours, intense aromas and perfect palate weight. Together with a good yield of 400 tons in total, 2020 goes down as a vintage we are very happy with and at this stage the young wines are looking top-class.”
