Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2025

temperatures in early February. This put pressure on some producers’ irrigation capacity, leading to berry dehydration in unbuffered vineyards (Photo BK 1) . Nonetheless, grape health remained largely intact, with minimal incidence of Botrytis bunch rot observed.

“

The Pinotage harvest has impressed us this year and seems particularly promising. – Michiel Visser, Senior Winemaker, Botha Cellar

Production trends In the Breedekloof district, the harvest season commenced in early February, consistent with the long-term average, with Sauvignon Blanc being the first cultivar harvested. Both Chenin Blanc and Pinotage were ready for harvest a week later than usual, whereas mid- and late season cultivars were harvested in line with the typical harvest window. Compared to the 2024 season, yields in 2025 were generally higher, apart from Chenin Blanc, where smaller yields were recorded due to fewer bunches per vine. Chardonnay and Pinotage yields increased significantly, primarily due to recovery from frost damage sustained in 2024, which had severely limited yields. Pinotage and Sauvignon Blanc achieved optimal sugar levels within the expected timeframe, while later ripening cultivars maintained a slower ripening pace.

Grape and wine quality

The grape analyses for Chenin Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay were satisfactory, with impressive primary aromas. Some of the

Colombar grape samples displayed slightly higher-than-normal pH levels, and the juice of the early red cultivars exhibited good colour development. For the bulk of the vineyard blocks of the mid- and late-ripening red cultivars, the colour was slightly lighter than in 2024, primarily due to climatic conditions and the recovery of yields to more viable levels. The young wines from the top-class premium blocks show beautiful colour development (Photo BK 2) and promise excellent quality.

Photo BK 1: Bunches showing berry dehydration and shrivelling, mainly due to temporary undersupply of irrigation water. Breedekloof, February 2025.

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