Org de Rac, the organic wine farm in the Swartland in the Piketberg region, is heading towards the end of the year with some formidable critical acclaim under its belt.
Hot on the heels of a 92pt score in the Winemag Merlot Report, in which Org de Rac Merlot 2015 tied in first place, respected wine critic and Master of Wine Tim Atkins awarded 91 pts to Org de Rac Waghuis 2016, a white blend of Verdelho, Roussanne and Chenin Blanc, and one of the new farm’s new releases.
And to top it all, Org de Rac walked away with three Gold medals at this year’s Michelangelo International Wine and Spirits Awards. The Golds went to the Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2015, Merlot Reserve 2015 and Waghuis Wit 2016.
According to Org de Rac cellarmaster Frank Meaker the recent achievements are of great importance as they imply consistence in the quality of wines now being made on this unique organic wine farm just off the N7 on the Cape Town side of Piketberg.
“We have waited some time to get this amount of critical acclaim, but as any winemaker and farmer knows, good wines are like Rome: not built in a day,” says Meaker.
What Meaker, a winemaker with 40 years’ experience under his belt, is adamant of is that Org de Rac is situated on one of the most unique terroir sites in the Cape.
Frank Meaker, Org de Rac cellarmaster.
“The farm lies in isolation, is 50km from the Atlantic and has soils ideally suited to growing a diverse range of wine grape varieties,” he says. And it is the quality of these soils and the search for perfection in its purest form that drove the decision to farm organically.
“This region of the Swartland is where generations have farmed with respect for nature and their unique geography – soil is everything,” says Meaker.
“The decision was thus taken to keep this precious soil in as pristine and natural a state as possible through organic farming, which is actually just ‘real’ agriculture. The soils are sustainably managed with a rotation of different cover crops, vetches and organic mulching to stimulate microbial activity. When it comes to managing the vines, a strict pruning regimen and diligent suckering programmes are employed to control any occurrence of pests and diseases. Also, we give the bunches optimal shading during the ripening season.”
Meaker, who has a passion for Bordeaux varieties, is especially pleased at the quality of the Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon coming from the farm as vindicated by the top scores and Gold medals.
“There’s a lot of talk about green Merlot in South Africa, but this has nothing to do with the character of the variety itself,” says Meaker. “The Merlot plant requires special attention and the fruit reflects the diligence of the viticulture and the nature of the soil. Here our way of farming as well as the temperate climate – think long, sunny hang-time – allows perfect ripening.”
Cabernet Sauvignon, like Merlot a variety not generally associated with the Swartland, is also providing wines with structure, elegance and succulent juiciness.
“Cabernet Sauvignon remains the King of South African red wines,” says Meaker who has worked with the variety in Bordeaux as well as in the Napa Valley. “Org de Rac’s isolated location allows us to add to South Africa’s Cabernet portfolio with a wine offering a true sense of place and distinction.”
The year is not over, but for Org de Rac it has been a good one.
“It’s been a lot of hard work, a lot of trial and error to get where we are now,” says Meaker. “But Org de Rac has arrived. And we are here to stay.”
