Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2025

CONSTANTIA WARD

The cooler average minimum temperatures in July and August provided optimal conditions for a restful winter dormancy period. The reduced frequency of strong winds during the early part of the growing season supported healthy growth and flowering, while the temperatures were ideal for a cultivar like Sauvignon Blanc. Not a single day saw temperatures surpassing 33 °C. Producers anticipate a solid but average yield across the full cultivar spectrum, as in the previous year. There was little to no rainfall in February and early March, contributing to ideal ripening and harvesting conditions. However, beneficial rainfall in December, just before the critical véraison phase, helped to boost production.

DURBANVILLE WARD

Although the winter season arrived late, the vineyards could still accumulate sufficient cold units. Night temperatures in August were more than 2 °C lower than the previous season, creating favourable conditions for a cultivar like Chardonnay, which is sensitive to uneven budding caused by suboptimal cold conditions. In December, the ward recorded 20 mm of rain, which was ideal for dryland vineyards. Following this, rainfall was minimal, resulting in low disease pressure and ensuring the grapes remained healthy throughout the growing season. What truly stood out in the Durbanville ward this year, however, was the consistently cooler summer temperatures – a stark contrast to the previous season. As a result, producers were thrilled about some of the best grape analyses to date. The 2025 vintage from Durbanville is set to impress when it reaches the market.

LOTHIAN VINEYARDS

Gert Engelbrecht | 072 152 4028 | gerte@vinpro.co.za

VINPRO TECHNICAL HARVEST REPORT 2025 26