The 2026 harvest didn’t linger, driven by a persistent dry spell across spring and summer that accelerated the growth cycle and led to a significantly earlier start than the historical average. 

While other regions like Robertson dealt with untimely thundershowers, we dodged the rain entirely, resulting in zero rot and very low disease pressure. This allowed us to stay on schedule without extra spraying, bringing healthy grapes (particularly our main variety – Pinotage) into the cellar. 

The harvest time also came with a “big bang”; a full week of constant 40ºC to 45°C heat around the end of February! Fortunately, the bulk of the fruit was already safely off the vines, avoiding the frantic sugar spikes that usually accompany such a ten-day scorcher.

With the grapes in and the numbers crunched, tonnages are up and quality is looking solid, though the cellar work is far from over. While the white wines have finished fermentation and are undergoing battonage (the stirring up of the spent yeast – lees) to build mouthfeel and richness, the reds are tackling a bit of a “curveball”… 

Unusually high Malic acid levels is resulting in the malolactic fermentation taking its time – proving that even in a fast harvest, science can’t be rushed. Despite the slow-fizzing chemistry, the bottling schedule is already stacking up; we are currently prepping the Malbec for Woolworths and getting the Pinotage stock ready to deliver on the demand. The first of the new vintage wines, our Sauvignon Blanc 2026, is slated for release in approximately eight weeks.

Turning to our delicious EVOO; the same heatwave that hurried the grapes along also turned the olives from green to black almost overnight. We are anticipating an “on-year” for production, with picking set to begin in a week or two once the fruit is fully ripened. 

In the meantime, our vineyard team is undertaking a fertilising regimen to give the vines sufficient nourishing to put in reserves, ahead of the new season’s budding in springtime. We’re still busy clearing some of the under-producing vineyards that we uprooted and, once the first 20–30mm of rain softens the soil, we can do soil preparation before planting the new vines over the coming winter. 

We want to thank our industry colleagues and loyal supporters for their visits, encouragement and camaraderie during Harvest 2026. Through long tiring days, your support and motivation kept us going right to the end!