Vinpro Technical Harvest Report 2026

March brought intense heat, resulting in canopy senescence, berry dehydration and a marked acceleration in ripening. Initial concerns regarding the impact of limited water availability were, however, alleviated by the rainfall. Higher than-expected production levels were recorded in coastal regions such as the Swartland and Cape Town, as well as in supplementary irrigation areas such as Stellenbosch and parts of Paarl, particularly for early cultivars such as Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc and Pinotage. Overall, it appears that the dry conditions did result in markedly smaller berry sizes; however, this effect was offset by improved fertility, namely a higher number of berries per bunch and a greater number of bunches per vine. Early quality indicators are excellent, with Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc exhibiting well-balanced sugar and acid levels and appealing flavour profiles. Humid conditions

posed challenges for cultivars such as Chenin Blanc, where winemakers were required to apply careful selection to ensure quality. A compact harvest window placed sustained pressure on cellar capacity, particularly following the rain-induced delay and subsequent warm conditions in March. Across red cultivars, uniform ripening, smaller berry size and good colour development – particularly in late cultivars – proved advantageous for the industry. This resulted in the harvest reaching completion almost two weeks earlier than the norm. Optimal ripening levels resulted in red wines such as Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon of outstanding quality, with deep colour and fully developed flavour profiles. Although the 2026 season kept most stakeholders on edge, producers can reflect with confidence on a job well done, with sufficient volumes and premium quality selections available for market.

VINPRO TECHNICAL HARVEST REPORT 2026 7