Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2026

Climatic and viticultural trends

progressed uninterrupted, with healthy leaf colour and a steady growth rate, even in traditionally cooler areas. Typical poor fruit set associated with strong winds – whether orographic or frontal – was not a concern during this season’s flowering period. Canopy growth and fruit development following fruit set were accelerated by above-average warm conditions, particularly in November and December. It was also anticipated that the drier conditions would limit berry growth, resulting in smaller berry sizes. With the onset of the new year, the warm conditions subsided, and moderate temperatures prevailed throughout the ripening period. Maximum temperatures in January and February aligned well with long-term averages. By this stage, the impact of the warm growing season was evident, with harvest dates occurring earlier than normal (by up to seven days) and cultivars reaching suitable harvest maturity in close succession. The prolonged dry conditions since August were broken on 9 February by rainfall of between 25 and 35 mm, which provided significant relief but also increased disease pressure. This rainfall likely contributed to the replenishment

Moderate conditions prevailed during the 2025 growing season, with limited heatwaves and other extreme events, supported by a stable water

supply. These favourable conditions persisted after harvest, with good rainfall recorded during the autumn of 2025. Consequently, vineyards remained active well after harvest, retaining green leaves until the end of May 2025. The onset of winter was confirmed in June with good rainfall and a sharp accumulation of chill units. Soil profiles and storage dams were effectively replenished, although winter rainfall was significantly lower than in the preceding few seasons. Drier-than-normal conditions prevailed from August and persisted until the onset of the 2026 harvest. Favourable spring conditions, with fewer typical cold fronts during September, ensured good bud break in vineyards, with bud break dates recorded a few days earlier than or close to long-term norms. As soils were not oversaturated with water and air temperatures were above average during spring, reserves stored in the vineyards’ roots were likely able to contribute to the early physiological activity of the vines. Consequently, initial shoot growth

Monthly mean maximum temperatures

35

30

25

20

15

10

Temperatuur (°C)

5

0

Jan Feb Mar

Apr

May Jun Jul

Aug Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Max temp. 2025 Max temp. 2026 Max temp. 2008 – 2025

Figure STB 1. Monthly average maximum temperatures (January to February) as measured at the Rustenburg weather station, Stellenbosch.

VINPRO TECHNICAL HARVEST REPORT 2026 48