According to regional viticulturists of VinPro – the representative organisation for close to 3 500 wine grape producers and cellars – this year’s harvest kicked off two weeks earlier than usual.
“The 2015 harvest had the
earliest start in decades. Warm weather in August resulted in earlier bud
break, after which a warm, dry and windy summer kept vineyard growth under
control and accelerated ripening by approximately two weeks,” said Francois
Viljoen, manager of VinPro’s Consultation Service. The dry weather also led to
one of the healthiest seasons in years, with almost no losses due to diseases
or rot.
The total harvest is expected
to be 1% – 2% smaller than the record harvest in 2014. The Worcester region
harvested the largest wine grape crop in the area’s history, with Robertson
also realising a larger harvest. The intake of wine grapes in the Orange River,
Olifants River and Breedekloof regions was close to the same as in 2014 and
somewhat smaller crops were harvested in the rest of the regions.
Dryland vineyards in the
coastal regions were affected by water shortages due to the drier weather
conditions. A channel break in the Olifants River region during January did not
have a substantial effect on its production.
South Africa is the seventh
largest wine producer globally and produces 4% of the world’s wine. Close to
52% of the country’s natural wine is exported and 48% is sold locally.
Total
crop size:
The 2015 wine grape crop is
expected to reach 1 502 360 tons according to the latest estimate (30 April 2015) of the South African
Wine Industry Information and Systems (Sawis). It is 1.1% smaller than the
record harvest in 2014.
The 2015 wine harvest –
including juice and concentrate for non-alcoholic purposes, wine for brandy and
distilling wine – is expected to amount to 1 164.9 million litres, calculated at
an average recovery of 775 litres per ton of grapes.
2014/15
Growing season:
Good
reserves were accumulated during the post-harvest period in April and May,
after which leaf fall generally occurred at the right time. A cold, wet winter
led to the accumulation of sufficient cold units for the full breaking of
dormancy, which contributed to even bud break.
Warm weather in August
resulted in earlier bud break. A warm, dry and windy summer followed, keeping
vineyard growth under control and accelerating ripening by approximately two
weeks, which brought the harvesting season forward by two weeks.
With the absence of the usual
heat waves in most regions, cooler than usual weather in February was ideal for
ripening and harvesting. Lower temperatures at night during this time
contributed towards good colour and flavour in especially the red cultivars.
Temperatures warmed up again
during March, which led to the harvest ending close to two weeks earlier than usual
in most regions.
Although the dry, warm
conditions – and especially a lack of rain at the beginning of November –
necessitated additional irrigation, the dry weather during the harvest time was
ideal to ensure healthy grapes without diseases or rot.
Wine
potential:
“Save up, beautiful wines are
on their way!” said Viljoen. Exceptional wines are expected throughout the
cultivar spectrum, and some winemakers laud this year’s harvest as one of their
career highlights.
Grape analyses were good, with
low pH and good acidity and sugar levels, which form the foundation for high
quality wines.
Smaller berries, as well as
moderate temperatures during the harvest time led to good colour and intense
flavour in this year’s red wines. White wines are also of above average
quality, with good wine analyses and flavour spectrums.
Overview of the regions:
Breedekloof – One
of the best harvests ever in terms of quality, with a relatively large crop as
bonus.
Klein Karoo – An
unusually early, healthy season brings a high quality, but smaller harvest.
Malmesbury/Swartland – This
dryland region’s crop decreased, but smaller berries promise remarkable
quality.
Olifants River – Exceptional
grape analyses and colour due to a more moderate summer; the same crop size as
in 2014.
Orange River – A
good harvest of the same size as in 2014, despite limited frost damage and heat
waves.
Paarl – After kicking off
very early, a smaller harvest of very high quality was taken in.
Robertson – A
bigger harvest than in 2014, with exceptional quality wines.
Stellenbosch – Although
somewhat smaller, this was one of the best, if not the best, harvests in years.
Worcester – The
largest harvest in the region’s history, producing very good wines.
See
www.vinpro.co.za for the full harvest
report per region.