SUIDER PAARL – the 2023 wine grape harvest season approaches, the fourth crop estimate by viticulturists and producer cellars predicts a smaller yield than in 2022, and smaller than the previous three estimates published during the 2023 harvest season.
Conrad Schutte, manager of the Vinpro team of viticulturists that issues crop estimates with industry body SAWIS, notes that despite the smaller harvest, winemakers and viticulturists agree that the excellent grape quality holds the potential for producing exceptional wines.
The pre-season was marked by a warmer, drier winter across all wine-producing regions, with earlier budding and satisfactory evenness. Optimal photosynthesis-driven growth and drier soil conditions negatively impacted certain areas’ set. Colombar and Cabernet Sauvignon bunches appear looser at this stage. Heavy rains in early December provided relief during the predominantly hot, dry season, easing irrigation pressure but increasing fungal disease risks.
The South African wine industry spans a vast geographical area, and variations in climate and terrain significantly affect harvest size. All regions, except Klein-Karoo, were initially estimated to have lower yields than in 2022, but the new estimate now reflects a downward trend across all regions compared to 2022’s total yield.
The reduced estimate is attributed to challenges faced by South African wine grape producers, including power outages, dry winter/spring conditions, and heavy rains during ripening. The uprooting of vineyards in the Northern Cape, Olifants River, and Swartland also contributed to the shrinking total area of the industry.
Schutte emphasizes the importance of the coming weeks’ climate in determining crop size and recommends carefully opening fruit zones for optimal air and light movement amid high disease pressure.
The fifth crop estimate will be released in May by viticulturists and producer cellars.
