The 2023 harvest on Diemersdal Estate will go down as one of two vintages: Before rain, and after the rains.
Torrential rain fell over the Cape winelands in the first and third weeks of March, which resulted in a challenging, yet interesting harvesting.
For Sauvignon Blanc, our primary cultivar, all the grapes were picked before the March rains. It was also one of the cooler and more temperate Sauvignon Blanc seasons in the Durbanville Wine Valley’s recent history. At Diemersdal we had a magnificent growing season due to the cool, mild conditions during spring and early summer of 2022. And then came some some brilliant rain in December to freshen the vines and build-up water reserves.
Once harvest got under way temperatures remained mild – barring a few warm days at just the right time for sugar-levels to hit optimal ripeness. Our Sauvignon Blanc harvesters hit the vineyards on 20 January, and the early grapes showed brisk acidity and assertive varietal character, with the balanced chemistry allowing for wine that was ready for bottling early in February. The first wines released from vintage 2023 exude zest and freshness along with delectable tropical notes of gooseberry and passion-fruit, with bracing, healthy acidity.
On the red side, our Pinotage – an early ripening variety – was harvested in February. Cabernet, Merlot and Shiraz straddled the rain-period, with some of the blocks picked before the wet spells, and some afterwards. Judicious preventative viticulture during the growing season, however, prevented damage to the crop, with the fruit appearing to be enjoying the coolness of this unseasonable weather. Currently in barrel, these young red wines are showing fantastic aromas and wonderful flavour profiles, ensuring that vintage 2023 will be remembered for great wine quality along with the dramatic weather.