Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2025

During the harvest, intermittent rainfall allowed the vines time to dry out. A light breeze provided relief, delaying the onset of Botrytis bunch rot until the end of February, which ultimately had a positive impact on tonnage.

Production trends The harvesting season began in the second week of January, followed by a quieter period at the end of the month. February marked the peak of the harvest season, with high volumes of grapes harvested from the third week of February until the first week of March. The wine grape intake began to decline by mid-March, signalling the approach of the harvest’s end, with the season expected to conclude by 4 April. Producers in the Douglas area had already completed their harvest by 26 March. Overall production in the region increased, although early-season cultivars, such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Irsay Oliver, achieved lower yields. Cabernet Sauvignon did not achieve the exceptional production levels seen in other red cultivars, likely due to the ageing status of these vineyards. Later-season cultivars, such as Chenin Blanc, Colombar, Shiraz, and especially Ruby Cabernet, produced substantial harvests. At Lowerland, we experienced a phenomenal season. It was the first time in 12 years that we weren’t hit by either frost or hail. It was exceptionally cool in January and February, but the rain caught us in the end during the Tannat harvest, around mid-March.

Photo NC 1. An example of the impact of hail damage on one side of the canopy during ripening.

Grape and wine quality

Grape analyses indicated good acidity, although pH levels were higher than usual this season. Untimely rain showers and hail during

the harvest (Photo NC 1) adversely affected the quality of the white wines, resulting in lower sugar levels mid-season and bunch rot towards the end of the season. Juice recovery was higher than usual. Despite a higher tonnage, the red cultivars showed improved colour development compared to the previous season. Ripening was slightly delayed due to the increased crop load. Summary The Northern Cape wine region produced an exceptional harvest in 2025, with above average yields across all cultivars, from Augrabies to Douglas and Prieska. Among the white cultivars, Chenin Blanc and Colombar made the largest contributions, while Shiraz and Ruby Cabernet were the red cultivars with the best production. Despite experiencing a poor winter dormancy and frequent heatwaves, maximum temperatures were not as high as the previous season. Budding occurred only 3–4 days later than normal, with good fruit set and limited occurrences

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– Bertie Coetzee, Owner, Lowerland Estate, Prieska

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