As the warm summer sun begins to dip below the horizon, the vineyards in Stellenbosch come alive with the sounds of snipping shears and the chatter of harvest workers. The air is filled with the sweet scent of ripened grapes and the vines are dotted with vibrant clusters of Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, waiting to be picked.
For the South African wine industry and wine lovers alike, harvest season in Stellenbosch is an exciting time of year. The picturesque Cape Winelands is home to world-renowned wineries that produce some of the best wines — locally and internationally. Each wine’s story takes us all the way back to the grape, carefully handpicked at just the right moment.
For a glimpse into the 2023 harvest season, some Stellenbosch estates shared images from their vineyards with us. Want to celebrate the harvest? At Spier and Muratie, there are special festivities planned for 25-26 February. Find out more on our list of things to do this weekend.
At Bertha Wines, harvest season is an all-encapsulating experience, each moment awaited with bated breath. Although the team has poured their heart and soul into every bunch of grapes, the baton is now passed to Mother Nature to reveal her magic. Bertha Wines harvested their first-ever Syrah block this season. Soon, the Bertha brand will include a premium Syrah made by the country’s best winemakers.
Jordan Wine Estate aims to produce individual wines that combine the fruity accessibility of the New World with the classic elegance of the Old. This season, Jordan has harvested their second batch of Assyrtiko, a Greek white wine grape indigenous to the island of Santorini. They hope to produce enough wine to finally see their latest offering on shelves.
Beyond the production of wine and its meaning to the industry, harvest season has a profound impact on various Stellenbosch communities and surrounding wineries. For Delaire Graff Estate, harvest is the physical embodiment of passion, care, resilience and prowess. It means their team has successfully navigated the elements and carefully calculated on instinct and expertise — ultimately providing a promise of the greatest potential.
Stellenbosch’s harvest season is much more than a celebration of all that is wine. It’s an ongoing and undying pursuit of perfection in a bottle. This summer, the City of Oaks and surrounds are the perfect place to indulge in many magical harvest moments. We certainly can’t wait to taste all the latest vintages.