Lubanzi Chenin Blanc, Swartland 2025

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, the dog, decided to join them on a journey across part of South Africa that ended up being 100 miles and six days long. 

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 and BCORP Certified too. 

As part of its commitment to managing greenhouse gas emissions, Lubanzi is a member of Climate Neutral, an independent organization helping Lubanzi to measure, offset and reduce 100% of its carbon footprint and ensure that making great wine doesn’t come at a high cost to the 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.

50% of Lubanzi’s net profits are passed on to the NGO Pebbles Project, a non-profit organisation based in South Africa’s winelands, the mission of which is to provide healthcare and education for farm workers and their families. And 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. A 7% premium on all the wine goes direct to farm workers and Lubanzi pay workers double the minimum set by Fair for Life

They buy in all grapes, but from the same farmers since the start, this is 10th vintage of Chenin from the same single grower, with 100% knowledge of where the grapes come from.

Recycled water is used on the estate, though 95% of grapes are dry-farmed with only a little drip irrigation. After all, it is the nature of the Swartland that there is very little water. Indeed, it’s drought-prone, so all farming has to be as drought resistant as possible. The tape the water table underground and iIrrigation water comes from on-site reservoirs of rainwater or filtered reused grey water

To maintain soil health Lubanzi’s growers refrain from ploughing between rows, sometimes flattening or rolling and all the farmers plant year-round cover crops like hay, straw, oats, and lupins. This encourages biodiversity, prevents soil erosion and helps to maintain drought resistance. 

Some solar power is used and they offset carbon usage to achieve carbon neutral. Most organic waste gets collected and reused and stems go back into vineyard as fertiliser. All glass, paper, and cartons collected and recycled and a record is kept of all  waste as part of their carbon work.