Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2026

Climatic and viticultural trends

Vegetative growth was generally less vigorous than normal, which can be attributed to increased water demand, drier soils, higher temperatures and limited irrigation water availability in certain areas. Even where producers had sufficient irrigation water available, constraints on irrigation capacity placed them under pressure to meet vineyard water requirements under conditions of high evapotranspiration. Rainfall during the early growing season (from September to the end of December) was approximately 80% below the long term average. As a result, phenology was advanced, with flowering and fruit set also occurring earlier than normal under particularly dry and warm conditions. These favourable conditions supported good fruit set, and véraison was likewise observed earlier than usual. Despite the good set, berry size was notably smaller, particularly in vineyards in the Ladismith area that did not receive sufficient water, which ultimately had a negative impact on crop size. The first vineyard blocks reached ripeness approximately one week earlier than normal. Cooler conditions in January and February delayed the ripening of early cultivars, while the remainder of the crop followed a more typical ripening pace. Some blocks, however, had to be harvested prematurely due to water shortages.

Lower rainfall from December to the end of February, with concomitant healthy canopies, allowed vineyard leaves to remain on the vines longer

than normal after the 2025 harvest. Although rainfall during this period was 50% below the long-term average, it was still sufficient to support effective reserve accumulation and the uptake of post-harvest fertilisation. The Klein Karoo experienced a slightly cooler but drier winter. Total rainfall for the winter months was approximately 20% below the long term average, with most of the precipitation recorded in June. From July onwards, however, conditions were extremely dry. As a result, soil profiles were not adequately replenished, and in certain areas of the Klein Karoo, particularly in the Ladismith area, irrigation water was severely limited. The accumulation of chill units was nevertheless sufficient for dormancy release, and the application of dormancy breaking agents was therefore not required. Spring was approximately 1–3 °C warmer than normal. Higher temperatures as well as drier and warmer soils resulted in the first vineyard blocks reaching bud break one to two weeks earlier than usual. Vineyards, however, showed good and uniform bud break, driven by elevated temperatures, warmer soils and the resulting increase in root activity. No frost damage was reported.

Cumulative monthly evapotranspiration (ET ₀ ) (Oct 2025 –Feb 2026)

100 120 140 160

0 20 40 60 80

Evapotranspiration (mm)

Oct 2025

Nov 2025

Dec 2025 Long -term average ET ₀

Jan 2026

Feb 2026

ET ₀

Figure KK 1. Monthly values of evapotranspiration (ET O ) from October 2025 to February 2026 compared with the long term average, as measured at the Derdeheuwel weather station.

VINPRO TECHNICAL HARVEST REPORT 2026 27