The Producer
Lautus — Latin for pure, elegant, and sumptuous — was born in 2017 when founder and oenologist Reg Holder set out to create South Africa’s first genuine de-alcoholised wine. With a BSc in Agriculture from Stellenbosch University and over a decade of winemaking experience at celebrated estates including Neil Ellis Wines and Delheim, Reg had the credentials to pull it off. The inspiration? His wife’s pregnancy and the desire for a wine that delivered the real thing — complexity, depth, and pleasure — without the alcohol.
Vintage & Terroir
The grapes for the Savvy Red are sourced from the Holder family farm in the Olifants River Valley, where warm days and cool Atlantic breezes create ideal ripening conditions. The blend draws on Shiraz, Pinotage, Tempranillo, and Cabernet Sauvignon — each variety contributing its own character to the final wine. Certain parcels are picked early to preserve bright acidity, while the remainder is harvested at peak ripeness for concentrated fruit flavour.
In the Cellar
After a traditional vinification, the wine is aged for 9–12 months in oak barrels to develop structure and complexity. It then passes twice through Lautus’s proprietary spinning cone technology at low temperatures: the first pass captures and preserves the wine’s delicate aromas and flavours, while the second gently removes the alcohol. The result is a de-alcoholised red that retains the character of a conventionally made wine, finishing at less than 0.5% ABV.
Tasting Notes
Appearance: Deep ruby with garnet highlights.
Nose: Ripe cherry and blackberry with a faint leathery note and subtle oak spice.
Palate: Medium-bodied and genuinely dry — a rarity in de-alcoholised reds. Fine tannins frame juicy red and black berry fruit, with hints of dark cherry and gentle oak adding depth.
Finish: Balanced and lingering, with soft tannins and a clean berry farewell.
Food Pairing
The Savvy Red’s medium body and fine tannins make it a natural partner for braai-day burgers, slow-cooked beef stew, or a rich mushroom risotto. It also pairs beautifully with mature Cheddar or a classic bobotie. Serve at 16–18°C for the best expression of fruit and oak.
Technical Details
| Blend | Shiraz, Pinotage, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Region | Olifants River Valley, Western Cape |
| Alcohol | < 0.5% ABV (De-alcoholised) |
| De-alcoholisation | Spinning Cone Technology |
| Oak Ageing | 9–12 months in oak barrels prior to de-alcoholisation |
| Closure | Screw cap |
| Bottle Size | 750ml |
| Case Size | 6 bottles |
Our Guarantee
Every case of Lautus Savvy Red is backed by our 100% Happiness Assured! Guarantee. If you’re not completely delighted, get in touch and we’ll make it right — no fuss, no fine print, just great wine and happy customers.
