Oldenburg Vineyards is a premium boutique winery, producing small quantities of red and white wine. Situated in the mountains outside Stellenbosch, the vineyards are managed without compromise to maximise the potential of our magnificent terroir. Set against a backdrop of stunning natural beauty their unique location inspires a sustainable approach in the vineyards. Apart from the environmental drive to consider solar energy, South Africa’s energy crisis also pushed this in producer towards taking more control of its energy supply.

Power outages have a significant impact on wine farms’ production and the wine industry as a whole. Many wineries have had to rely on generators to keep production going, despite the rising fuel prices in South Africa. The costs of running a generator are extremely high, which significantly raises production costs. Early in 2023, it was reported that a winery in the Franschoek area was spending R50,000 a month on diesel.

Producers are facing challenges, not only in the cellar but also in the vineyards, particularly with the threat of rolling blackouts during the harvest season. Where vine irrigation is required, a continuous supply of water is required. Failure to do so can have serious consequences for the quality of the grapes. Without power, key machinery such as temperature control, sorting lines, bottling and labelling cannot operate.