Journey to South Africa's whale nursery, where Gunter Schultz is pioneering a new style of winemaking.

Welcome to this week's edition of Winemakers On Fire!?

This week's Winemaker on Fire takes us to the dramatic coastline of St. Sebastian Bay, where Gunter Schultz of Baleia Wines is redefining what's possible in South African wine.

A 15-time Vintner's Surf Classic champion, Schultz has found his sweet spot crafting wines from limestone-rich soils just 9 kilometres from the ocean. His journey weaves together global winemaking experience, deep family ties to the Cape wine industry, and an innovative approach to maritime terroir.

In a region where thick mists meet persistent winds, Schultz is proving that extreme conditions can birth extraordinary wines.

“Stress makes you make erratic decisions. Wines don't like erratic makers."

Let’s dive in!

Where Ocean Meets Vine: The Story of Gunter Schultz and Baleia Wines.

At the edge of South Africa's whale-watching paradise, where the Duiwenhoks River meets the Indian Ocean, an extraordinary wine story is unfolding. Here, Gunter Schultz, a champion surfer turned winemaker, is crafting wines that challenge our understanding of South African terroir.

At Baleia Wines, just 9 kilometres from St. Sebastian Bay, limestone-rich soils and maritime influences converge to create a viticultural frontier unlike any other in the Cape. This unique intersection of ocean, soil, and climate has become Schultz's laboratory for innovation, where his extensive international experience meets the distinctive challenges of a truly singular terroir.

Drawing from his rich family heritage in South African wine and guided by an intimate understanding of his environment, Schultz is pioneering a new expression of Cape wines. His story is one of adaptation, respect for nature, and the relentless pursuit of authenticity in winemaking.

A Surfer's Journey Through Wine

There's something poetic about a 15-time Vintner's Surf Classic champion making wine just 9 kilometres from the ocean. For Gunter Schultz, General Manager and Winemaker at Baleia Wines, this proximity to St. Sebastian Bay—South Africa's whale nursery—isn't just about lifestyle; it's fundamental to his winemaking philosophy.

"Our vineyards are perched cleverly above the Duiwenhoks river canyon," Schultz explains, describing a dramatic landscape where the ocean's influence is omnipresent. "Both our summer and winter prevailing winds blow over the ocean, with the river canyon enhancing this airflow. Air temperatures can fluctuate very rapidly within this mesoclimate, and thick mists can make viticulture quite challenging at times."

The Limestone Revolution

But it's not just the maritime influence that shapes Baleia's distinctive wines. After 23 vintages working with red soils, Schultz found himself confronting an entirely different terroir—limestone-rich white soils—that would fundamentally reshape his approach to winemaking.

"Limestone is influencer number one in our terroir," he emphasises. "Its effect on our grapes and me is huge. It has gone so far as to reshape me and my winemaking philosophy." This transformation has led to a distinctive winemaking style that embraces liberal oaking and the use of ceramic and terracotta amphora for both whites and reds.

A Legacy of Brotherhood

Wine runs deep in the Schultz family veins, with four brothers all making their mark in the industry. Among them, Carl at Hartenberg Estate and Rudi at Thelema have played particularly influential roles in Gunter's journey. "As a mother can't have a favourite son, a brother can't have a favourite sibling," Schultz says with characteristic warmth. The brotherhood extends beyond family ties into professional mentorship, with Gunter having worked alongside Carl at Hartenberg Estate.

"Over the years, I have always gone back to the two of them for invaluable advice. They have helped me dodge the odd bullet on occasion," he reflects. This strong family connection has created a unique support system, blending professional expertise with fraternal bonds. "Some of my favourite wines to drink are theirs," he adds, highlighting how family ties enhance rather than compete with professional respect.

Global Experience, Local Application

Schultz's journey to Baleia was shaped by an impressive international career spanning Australia's Barossa Valley, California's Russian River Valley, and New Zealand. Each stop contributed unique lessons: Australia offered experience with diverse varietals, California instilled perfectionism, and New Zealand taught intense focus and precision.

"Where would we be without experience?" Schultz reflects. "In Australia, I worked with at least 20 different varieties, including Mourvèdre, long before it became mainstream in South Africa. California was unbelievable—they were such perfectionists." Yet despite this global experience, he maintains that limestone remains the new factor that determines everything at Baleia.

A Love Affair with Syrah

Among all varietals, Syrah holds a special place in Schultz's heart. His "love affair" with the grape began in 1996, and at Baleia, it expresses itself in unique ways. "It's reflective of its terroir if picked in the correct phase of ripening," he explains. "At Baleia, it has a totally different profile to anything I have tasted. The tannin profile is distinctly different, and over-extraction almost seems impossible to achieve."

His experimentation led to a groundbreaking 2020 Amphora Syrah that saw no time in wood—a testament to his willingness to push boundaries while respecting terroir.

A Unique Ecosystem

The limestone-rich soils at Baleia support more than just vines—they're home to the rare Canca fynbos, a resilient plant community that thrives in these challenging conditions. This unique ecosystem has influenced Schultz's viticultural practices from the ground up, starting with rootstock selection. "We didn't plant our vines on the more conventional rootstocks due to soil pH often being above 7," he explains.

With annual rainfall averaging just 350mm, both the fynbos and vines must be extraordinarily hardy to survive. These conditions contribute to heavily concentrated grapes, requiring careful tannin management during maceration. "I need to remain true and reflect our uniqueness," Schultz notes, "so I work very conservatively with French Oak."

Facing Nature's Challenges

Baleia's extreme growing conditions—persistent winds, rocky soils, and cold winters—present unique challenges. "Here has more challenges than any other place I have worked, but none the less, we belong here," Schultz asserts. The weather conditions dramatically affect both crop quality and quantity, as evidenced by recent vintages where they lost 70% of their Tempranillo crop due to adverse weather during flowering.

Yet these challenges contribute to the wines' unique character. "This terroir reflects the 'salts' from the soils like no other," Schultz notes, pointing out that their limestone is ocean-derived, unlike most South African terroirs.

Looking to the Future

Despite—or perhaps because of—these challenges, Baleia is positioning itself at the forefront of climate change adaptation in South African wine. "We really are planting only what could work in our climate and terroir," Schultz explains. "We don't plant after the market or neighbours." As the sole grower in their appellation, with the nearest winery 57 kilometres away at Malgas, they have the freedom to forge their own path.

For Schultz, success comes down to two key elements: viticulture and temperament. "Many winemakers don't have the time to build a relationship with their vines," he observes. "Seeing them at every stage and watching their evolution really gives you a distinct advantage." And in the winery? "I am calm; stress makes you make erratic decisions. Wines don't like erratic makers."

It's this combination of maritime influence, unique terroir, global experience, and measured approach that makes Baleia Wines a fascinating chapter in South Africa's wine story. Under Schultz's guidance, it stands as a showcase to the possibilities that emerge when you let the land—and the ocean—lead the way.

Should we work together?

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Here's what you missed last week...

Last month's Winemakers On Fire manifesto, “Wine’s Dynamic Decade: A Futurist’s Guide to 2025’s Top Trends, Innovations, and Emerging Technologies,” isn't just another industry forecast—it's a roadmap to wine's most transformative decade. From AI-powered vineyards to sustainability revolutions, we're diving deep into the technologies and trends that will reshape how we grow, make, and experience wine.

Whether you're a maverick winemaker or a curious wine enthusiast tracking global innovations, this guide is your strategic compass. Let's uncork the future, one trend at a time.

“Success in this new era requires more than just adaptation—it demands anticipation and strategic foresight.

For wine businesses, the message is clear: embrace change while honouring tradition. The winners of tomorrow will be those who can navigate this delicate balance, using new tools and insights to enhance rather than replace what makes wine unique.”

Get ready to be inspired.

Until next Tuesday, keep your glass full and your taste buds curious.