Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2026

Climatic and viticultural trends

favourable and moderate spring temperatures. Thereafter, véraison in December was uniform. Most cultivars ripened earlier until the onset of rainfall during harvest, after which a delay in sugar accumulation was observed due to cooler and wetter conditions. The intake and ripening sequence of cultivars was at times altered, reflecting the influence of localised rainfall events and variability in sugar accumulation. General remarks interventions, disease pressure remained high and the timing and effectiveness of applications were critical. Two significant hail events occurred on 9 November 2025 and 1 December 2025, during which vineyard blocks in Groblershoop and Kanoneiland sustained damage ranging from 5% to 70%. Fortunately, due to high humidity and light wind conditions during these low temperature events, accompanied frost damage was limited. Rainfall occurred regularly in November and December, and Vineyard diseases were anticipated due to the forecast wet La Niña weather pattern. Although most producers increased crop protection

Vineyards exhibited uniform and strong bud break from 2 September 2025 (with the majority around 17 September), due to a favourable

post-harvest period during which carbohydrate reserves were well replenished. Owing to favourable winter conditions, the use of dormancy-breaking agents was kept to a minimum. Following an initial cold period around 12 May, which promoted winter dormancy, complete leaf fall was achieved by the first week of June. Although winter rainfall is not typical for this region, between 16 mm in Augrabies and 71 mm in Kanoneiland was recorded. Total rainfall for the winter and growing season (1 May to 31 December 2025) was, however, above average, with approximately 215 mm recorded for the region over this period. Consequently, vegetative vigour was particularly strong, with shoot lengths exceeding 90 cm observed by flowering (15 October 2026). In a region where temperature extremes often negatively affect reproductive development, flowering and fruit set were promising across wine grape cultivars this season, owing to

Rainfall, maximum and minimum temperatures (1 Aug 2025–31 Mar 2026)

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

Temperature (°C) and rainfall (mm)

5

0

2025/08/01 2025/09/01 2025/10/01 2025/11/01 2025/12/01 2026/01/01 2026/02/01 2026/03/01

Rainfall mm

Max temp. (°C)

Min temp. (°C)

Figure NK 1. Daily maximum and minimum temperatures and rainfall from 1 August 2025 to 31 March 2026, as measured at the Kanoneiland weather station.

VINPRO TECHNICAL HARVEST REPORT 2026 31