Lubanzi Chenin Blanc, Swartland 2022

A relatively new and unique venture established by young friends with a travel bug, whose trek in South Africa introduced them to the wandering dog that gave the wines their name. Lubanzi decided to join them on a journey across part of South Africa that ended up being 100 miles and six days long.

History
Charlie Brain and Walker Brown made valued and valuable friends and contacts in the wine industry on their Cape journey and have enjoyed the support and backing of Cape winemaking legends Bruce Jack and Trizanne Barnard from the outset. Their aim was to give back to the community while making wines they can be proud of. They are Integrity & Sustainability Certified and proud to be Fair For Life Fair Trade Certified too.

The wines
The wines are based on hand-harvested fruit from the Swartland, a chenin blanc, and a red blend of shiraz, cinsault, mourvèdre and grenache, both made with minimal intervention and natural yeasts for the fermentation. The white spends time on its lees in stainless steel while the red blend sees some time in large oak casks - foudres - that are less about imparting oaky flavours and aromas and more about rounding out the wine. Wines are also canned and, unsurprisingly but pleasingly, are bottled with labels made from sugar cane rather than paper from trees. These are wines worth following for many reasons

Environmental responsibility
As part of its commitment to managing greenhouse gas emissions, Lubanzi is a member of Climate Neutral. This is an independent organization that helps Lubanzi to measure, offset and reduce 100% of its carbon footprint and ensure that making great wine doesn’t come at the cost of further endangering our planet. Lubanzi is also a member of 1% for the Planet, which means that they contribute at least one percent of their annual sales to environmental causes.

Social sustainability
50% of Lubanzi’s net profits are passed on to the Pebbles Project. This is a non-profit organisation based in South Africa’s winelands, the mission of which is to support disadvantaged children and their families in the agricultural communities of the Western Cape. Through a combination of health, skills and education programs, their hope is to help families and individuals extend their horizons for life, extending them far beyond their current situation.