News

Early Diemersdal harvest sees energy and vibrance from dryland Sauvignon Blanc vines

Harvest 2024 kicked off some 10 days earlier than the average for Diemersdal, the result of a dry summer and a warm, sunny start for the new year’s vineyard conditions.

Despite the more than 900mm of rain Diemersdal saw last year, and along with a harsh, cold winter, the lack of surface moisture led to grapes reaching ripening levels earlier than which is normally the case. Currently Diemersdal is harvesting its primary cultivar, Sauvignon Blanc, at a rate of knots with some 100t of grapes hitting the winery each day and the harvesters running from 02.00 to capture the fruit’s cool pre-dawn zest.


The 13 Best Wine-Tasting Experiences in Cape Town

You don’t have to leave the Mother City to experience world-class wine farms…

South Africa’s first wine was created in Cape Town over three-and-a-half centuries ago, and the Mother City is still proudly producing wine. From heritage estates in Constantia (where the country’s first wine farm was established in 1685) to modern wineries in Durbanville, the Wine of Origin Cape Town district includes 30 wine farms, scattered north and south of Table Mountain. 

Bound together by great similarities in terroir, and cool coastal winds, the furthest is a mere 36km from the centre of Cape Town. 


Optimistic outlook despite challenges: Second estimate for 2024 Wine grape harvest released

Viticulture experts have submitted their second estimate for the anticipated 2024 wine grape harvest, offering a comprehensive overview of the current state of South Africa’s vineyards. The figures, adjusted to account for the impact of diverse weather conditions during the growing season, reveal an estimated national wine grape harvest marginally down on the first estimate but higher than the 2023 harvest.

“While this estimate reflects a marginal 1.2% decrease from the initial December estimate, it remains notably higher than the 2023 harvest. Despite the slight reduction, the current projection for 2024 still falls below the five-year average,” says Etienne Terblanche, head of consultation services at Vinpro.


Deilaire Graff | Time to Harvest - Our Harvest has Begun

Earlier than anticipated, our Winemaker, Morné Very, has initiated the harvest at Delaire Graff Estate.

Throughout the year and as harvest time draws near, Morné works closely alongside Estate Viticulturist Kallie Fernhout as they meticulously manage the vineyards to ensure that growth and ripening periods take place at a complimentary pace – while at the same time anticipating and understanding that they are beholden to Mother Nature.

A long, wet winter, followed by ample sunshine and intense heat, has resulted in the development of the tannins in our grapes' skins and phenolic ripeness has been achieved. Sugar, acidity and tannins are now at their optimum levels and in perfect balance, and it is time for the fruit to be carefully handpicked.


Chardonnay wheels rolling full force as De Wetshof kicks off harvest 2024

It is all systems go on De Wetshof Estate in Robertson as this pioneering Cape Chardonnay producer begins harvesting vintage 2024 with early indications showing brisk acidity and low pH levels in Chardonnay picked on the farm’s vineyards planted to rich limestone soils.

This year’s vintage follows an unusually wet winter, as well as torrential spring rain in September last year.

“De Wetshof experienced 430mm of rain last year, some 130mm more than the average,” says Johann de Wet, CEO of De Wetshof. “March last year was a cracker with 131mm falling just as we were wrapping-up the 2023 harvest, and then another 82mm pummelled down in September.”


First crop estimate for 2024 suggests good outlook

South African wine grape producers expect a good and somewhat larger 2024 wine grape crop compared to the relatively small harvest of 2023. This is according to the first of four wine crop estimates issued annually by viticulturists and producer cellars. This estimate, however, is still lower than the average harvests of the past 10 years.

Cool and wet conditions characterised the post-harvest period and provided welcome relief during the recovery of vines after the harvest. The lower crop load of 2023, the early completion of the harvest and sufficient water availability positively contributed to vineyard reserves to start the winter on a good footing.


Diemersdal flies flag for Pinotage at Global Fine Wine Challenge for New World wineries

Durbanville family-owned wine estate Diemersdal kept the flag flying for Pinotage at this year's Global Fine Wine Challenge between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and the USA by securing a Double Gold accolade for the Diemersdal Pinotage Reserve 2022.

Held annually in Sydney, Australia, the Global Fine Wine Challenge sees 120 wines from each of these participating New World countries being scrutinised by a panel of judges aimed at selecting the best of what this segment of the wine world has to offer.


Global Master status bestowed on Paul Clüver Chardonnay

Paul Clüver Family Wines in Elgin once again underscored its status as a pre-eminent Chardonnay winery in securing one Master accolade and two Gold medals at the annual Global Masters tasting for Chardonnay, an international showcase for wines made from the noble Burgundian variety.

At this year's Global Chardonnay Masters tasting, a top-achiever Masters award was presented to Paul Clüver Seven Flags Chardonnay 2022, with the Golds going to two of the Elgin winery's Estate Chardonnays, namely those from vintages 2020 and 2021.


Tokara clinches trophy for Best New World White Blend

Tokara Director’s Reserve White 2020 was crowned Best New World White Blend, bringing home the trophy as the highest scoring wine in its class from the 2023 Global Fine Wine Challenge.

The flagship white of this acclaimed family-owned Stellenbosch wine estate, Tokara Director’s Reserve White triumphed over blends from six New World wine growing nations in this international wine competition hosted annually in Australia. Tokara’s flagship red blend, the Director’s Reserve Red 2020, also excelled with a Gold medal in this illustrious line-up.