Region: Swartland / Coastal Region, South Africa
Grapes: 100% Pinotage
Body: Light to Medium (Chillable)
Notes: Fresh wild raspberry, tart red cherry, rooibos tea, cranberry, crushed slate, and subtle white pepper, with a crunchy carbonic pop, energetic natural acidity, silky light tannins, and a bone-dry, savory, mouthwatering finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, South African braai (barbecue), grilled pork sausages, ostrich carpaccio, peri-peri chicken, or roasted mushroom flatbread
The Producer
Lubanzi Wines is a sustainable, social-impact natural wine project founded by Charlie Brain and Walker Brown following a backpacking trip across South Africa's Wild Coast (the project is named after a stray dog that followed them on their trek). Operating as a certified B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet, Lubanzi partners with small-scale, artisanal growers across the Swartland and Coastal Region who farm climate-resilient, dry-farmed vineyards. In the cellar, winemaking is led by low-intervention discipline: spontaneous fermentations driven by native yeasts, no chemical additions or heavy oak masking, gentle extraction, no fining, and minimal intervention to keep the wines raw, bright, and terroir-driven.
The Wine
"Anomalous" is Lubanzi's fresh, modern, glou-glou reimagining of Pinotage—South Africa's signature indigenous grape crossing (Pinot Noir x Cinsault), which historically suffered from heavy oak and over-extraction. Sourced from dry-farmed, old-vine Bush Vines in the Swartland, the hand-harvested whole clusters undergo 100% carbonic maceration in stainless steel vats using indigenous ambient yeasts. This technique locks in vibrant floral lift and juicy red-fruit flavors while completely bypassing harsh tannins. Aged briefly in stainless steel and bottled unfined and gently filtered with minimal added sulfur, the 2025 vintage turns Pinotage on its head: a crunchy, low-ABV, chillable red bursting with wild berries and herbal salinity.
Region: Swartland / Coastal Region, South Africa
Grapes: 100% Pinotage
Body: Light to Medium (Chillable)
Notes: Fresh wild raspberry, tart red cherry, rooibos tea, cranberry, crushed slate, and subtle white pepper, with a crunchy carbonic pop, energetic natural acidity, silky light tannins, and a bone-dry, savory, mouthwatering finish
Pairing: Continuous charcuterie boards, South African braai (barbecue), grilled pork sausages, ostrich carpaccio, peri-peri chicken, or roasted mushroom flatbread
The Producer
Lubanzi Wines is a sustainable, social-impact natural wine project founded by Charlie Brain and Walker Brown following a backpacking trip across South Africa's Wild Coast (the project is named after a stray dog that followed them on their trek). Operating as a certified B Corp and a member of 1% for the Planet, Lubanzi partners with small-scale, artisanal growers across the Swartland and Coastal Region who farm climate-resilient, dry-farmed vineyards. In the cellar, winemaking is led by low-intervention discipline: spontaneous fermentations driven by native yeasts, no chemical additions or heavy oak masking, gentle extraction, no fining, and minimal intervention to keep the wines raw, bright, and terroir-driven.
The Wine
"Anomalous" is Lubanzi's fresh, modern, glou-glou reimagining of Pinotage—South Africa's signature indigenous grape crossing (Pinot Noir x Cinsault), which historically suffered from heavy oak and over-extraction. Sourced from dry-farmed, old-vine Bush Vines in the Swartland, the hand-harvested whole clusters undergo 100% carbonic maceration in stainless steel vats using indigenous ambient yeasts. This technique locks in vibrant floral lift and juicy red-fruit flavors while completely bypassing harsh tannins. Aged briefly in stainless steel and bottled unfined and gently filtered with minimal added sulfur, the 2025 vintage turns Pinotage on its head: a crunchy, low-ABV, chillable red bursting with wild berries and herbal salinity.
What is natural wine?
Natural wine is wine made with minimal intervention from the winemaker, using organically or biodynamically grown grapes and without the addition of chemicals or additives such as sulfites. The result is a wine that is unique, expressive, and often has a more complex and nuanced flavor profile than conventional wines. Natural wine is also often associated with sustainable and ethical farming practices, making it a popular choice for those interested in environmentally friendly and socially responsible products.