According to Forbes.com, sommeliers listed South Africa as one of the 7 wine regions to watch in 2024. Those of us involved with the industry every day, know that it is a dynamic and interesting space and despite the many challenges, I am excited about what we do with wine in South Africa. Harvest time is here and I look forward to an energetic two months in the Winelands. Here are a few early expectations for the 2024 vintage.
The most recent prediction from industry organisation, Vinpro, is that the overall 2024 South African wine grape harvest will be about 7% bigger than in 2023. Volumes should, however, stay lower than the average of the last five years as last year’s harvest was exceptionally small. But there’s more to a vintage than the volume. Let’s have a look at the growing conditions that should have an impact on the quality of the 2024 vintage.
Do you remember the drought conditions between 2015 and 2018? My harvest expectation blog for the 2017 vintage was entitled, Does dry mean dreary? The conclusion was that vineyard can deal with some stress as it results in smaller berries with more concentrated sugars and complex flavours. What does that imply for the 2024 vintage if we consider the above-average rainfall of the 2023 growing season?
Just as we finished the 2023 harvest, cool and wet conditions set in, aiding in the recovery of vines. Winter followed with ideal low temperatures ensuring proper dormancy. The rainfall was above average, supplementing soil profiles and replenishing resources, but then there was more rain. The first flood happened during June with about 200 mm of rain during the first two weeks alone. The Berg River hit its 100-year flood line and participants in the popular Berg River Canoe Marathon had the advantage of a full river, but there was damage to infrastructure in Boland towns, neighbourhoods and farms. Due to the timing of the rain and vines being in their dormant winter phase, the excess water didn’t cause too much damage, except if soils were washed away. (Read more)
Rain during flowering can do more damage as the little flowers being rained off the vine results in fewer berries and possible disruption of the self-pollination process. Spring brought us not only frost in some areas, but the second flood of 2023. We measured 250 mm of rain on
La Motte during the weekend of 23 to 25 September with even heavier downpours high up in the mountains. With the soils saturated after the very wet winter, rivers and mudslides formed in the mountain causing havoc on their way down the slopes and into the valley. Damage to farm and tourism infrastructure was a big challenge, while the wet soil conditions, muddy leaves, high humidity and limited access to vineyards resulted in downy mildew in some vineyards. Thankfully, eventual windy and dry conditions eliminated too much disease concerns. These wet conditions were still too early to be detrimental to flavour concentration and complexity.
Because of the cool conditions, budding was initially late, but as warmer conditions set in, vines made up for the slow start and the harvest has started about a week earlier than last year. Current high temperatures and the fact that late cultivars such as Cabernet Sauvignon already show veraison in the vineyards, contribute to expectations for a shorter harvest season. It will be important to motivate vineyard and cellar teams as such a season means long hours and issues with capacity – especially when trying to pick at the ultimate ripeness. I anticipate a few late nights in the cellar!
Can we predict the season to be short and sweet? A mild start to January, a sensitive phase of the ripening process, was conducive to good flavour concentration. Our grapes are healthy and we are very positive about the quality. “The positive impact of climatic conditions leading up to the harvest outweigh the limiting factors, despite the continuing declining trend in the national area under vines, which currently stands at 89384 hectares (SAWIS 2022),” says Etienne Terblanche, manager of Vinpro’s team of viticulture experts. “If environmental conditions play out as predicted and producers adapt management practices accordingly, a good quality harvest can be expected.” (Read more)
I wish everyone a successful 2024 harvest! Make the most of the special season and try to make time to enjoy a mosbolletjie or two!