Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2026

Photo KK 2. An example of Aspergillus rot, which was prevalent during this season.

Production trends Production of early cultivars, particularly Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc, was excellent, while the production of later cultivars was similar to or slightly higher than in the previous season. The heavy rainfall in February led to rot-related challenges and notable crop losses, while also providing significant relief for producers. A heatwave occurred in mid-March, which caused a rapid increase in sugar levels in the grapes, and consequently all remaining red cultivars reached harvest readiness simultaneously. The Ladismith area reported substantial crop losses due to low rainfall and insufficient irrigation water.

Photo KK 1. Small, loosely set Colombar bunch illustrating the impact of limited irrigation water availability.

General remarks

Canopies and grapes were initially very healthy due to the exceptionally low rainfall during the growing season, with only 25% of the normal

rainfall recorded from September to the end of January. However, the situation changed markedly following heavy rainfall in early February. Botrytis rot, sour rot and Aspergillus presented significant challenges after the rain, particularly in Chenin Blanc and Sauvignon Blanc vineyards. The red cultivars, specifically Muskadel and Colombar, withstood the wet conditions well.

VINPRO TECHNICAL HARVEST REPORT 2026 28