Harvest Report 2012
by Christian Eedes

Harvest and Sales Estimate - August 2012
Access SAWIS' Harvest and Sales Estimate here

Grape and Wine Crop - August 2012
Access SAWIS' figures here

2012: Impressions of the Vintage from our Viticulturist
"This harvest saw one of the best ripening periods in my experience. 2012 is without a doubt, a standout vintage - especially for the red wines." Stephan Joubert, DGB Viticulturist.

Rijk's Harvest Report 2012
The 2011 winter was similar to that of 2008 where the rainfall started early July and the cool weather continued well into spring, but with lower rainfall than in 2010.

Lammershoek - Harvest Report 2012
The lead up to the 2012 vintage and the vintage period itself was a dry one. This dryness (some would call it drought) has been a factor in the Swartland for the past few years and there is no way of avoiding it.

South African Wine: Harvest Report 2012 by VinPro Consultation Service
Latest crop of exceptional quality

A short harvest report for 2012 at Teddy Hall Wines
Stellenbosch had a slightly above average winter rainfall in all months except for a dry July. Like last year our annual average was below norm and water reserves are under strain.

Harvest and Sales Estimate - April 2012
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Grape and Wine Crop - April 2012
Access SAWIS' figures here

Hidden Valley Harvest Summary Report 2012
Our wine maker, Emma Moffat, was asked in this busy time of the year to spare a moment for reporting on the 2012 Harvest for Hidden Valley Wines. We look forward to our new vintage of Hidden Valley Sauvignon Blanc to be released in Winter.

Groote Post Winemaker's 2012 harvest notes
Two factors had a big influence on this vintage.

Bot River Harvest Report 2012: an exceptional year!
Across the length and breadth of the Bot River Valley, farm owners, winemakers and viticulturists agree that 2012 will be an exceptional vintage.

2012 a hurry up and wait harvest, says Distell
The 2012 harvest has produced excellent quality aromatic whites and reds of intense colour and well-balanced ripeness, according to Callie van Niekerk, who heads all Distell's winery operations. This is despite the early January heat spikes that initially were a cause for concern, as well as shortages of water in some areas.

Spice Route 2012 harvest update from the Swartland
"The Swartland is a region for extreme winemaking - it is harsh and unforgiving but ultimately rewarding." Charles Back.

Harvest and Sales Estimate - March 2012
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Grape and Wine Crop - March 2012
Access SAWIS' figures here

Swartland gears up for good vintage despite tough conditions
Despite the below average rainfall last year and the heat wave that struck the Cape winelands earlier this year, the Swartland wine region expects good quality wines with good flavour, colour and structure, but grape producers are concerned about smaller harvests that wil put further pressure on their cashflow.

Fairview's slower harvest looks to yield top quality vintage
After getting off to a slow start, Fairview is in the final stages of the 2012 harvest. The considerate climate fluctuations leading up to the harvest resulted in a later, slower harvest that looks to yield a well-structured, top quality vintage.

Harvest Progress Report
On the 1st of February, totally by coincidence, harvest 2012 started on the exact same day as last year.

A closer look at the 2012 harvest
With the intense heat spells in the Western Cape during January, the 2012 harvest came earlier in some areas of the Winelands while in others the heat had little if any effect on the ripening of the grapes.

uniWines Vineyards picking the fruit of co-operation
A late and somewhat irregular ripening season has led to hard and long hours for the wineries of uniWines Vineyards as the 2012 harvest season gets into full-swing. Vineyards are being picked seven to ten days later than the norm, with the first Sauvignon Blanc grapes having reached the cellar on the last day of January.

Raka harvest time news
Harvest time at Raka started with fireworks. Literally!

Orange River Harvest 2012: A slow start but quality is on target
A cold Spring in the Orange River wine region, with dramatic variations between day and night temperatures, led to the region's harvest getting underway 10 days later than usual.

Stellenbosch's unique town vineyard feels the first stomp of harvest feet
One of South Africa's most unique vineyards, the Absa Perold Town Vineyard in Stellenbosch, was harvested for the first time this past weekend.

Cap Classique harvest draws to a close for 22nd time at Graham Beck Wine
Harvest for the cultivars used in the Graham Beck sparkling wines has drawn to a close for the 22nd time since production began; the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir are bubbling happily, and with them a new cellar fellow, Pinot Meunier.

Harvest and Sales Estimate - February 2012
Access SAWIS' Harvest and Sales Estimate here

Grape and Wine Crop - February 2012
Access SAWIS' figures here

De Wetshof mid-harvest report
Since harvesting commenced in the week of 17 January, the weather patterns have been as varied and diverse as De Wetshof's soil types!

Klawer Cellars Harvest Report: Week 1
Harvest 2012 is in full swing, with a hive of activities, tractors and harvest vehicles driving in and out the premises all day long!

Base wines set to sparkle as harvest continues at Graham Beck
"Frantic but rewarding" sums up the sentiments of Pieter 'Bubbles' Ferreira as the third week of harvest draws to a close at Graham Beck Wines Robertson, all indicators pointing towards solid base wines.

Flavoursome fruit for start of harvest at Graham Beck Wines
Flavoursome, healthy fruit has arrived at the Robertson cellar as fast as the team can handle it at Graham Beck Wines, indicating an excellent vintage for 2012.

The Perdeberg Winery harvest has begun
The Perdeberg harvest started on Tuesday, 17 January 2012.

Grape harvest kicks off at Simonsig Estate
Simonsig Estate has started 2012 at a hectic pace as one of the first wine estates in the Stellenbosch region to welcome this year's harvest.

The heat is on
Will the current heat wave influence the upcoming harvest?

Harvest and Sales Estimate - January 2012
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Grape and Wine Crop - January 2012
Access SAWIS' figures here

New year, new harvest, new books
So, here we go again another year is already well into its stride and the 2012 harvest is around the corner.

uniWines Vineyards prepares for harvest of consistent quality
Never a dull moment. This has been the story of the current growing season in the vineyards of UniWines Vineyards in the Breedekloof, producer of brands such as Meander, Ankerman and the Fairtrade-certified Palesa range

2012-wyndruiew oes - in alle distrikte groter as in 2011, behalwe Stellenbosch
Die 2012-wyndruifoes behoort 1 351 714 ton te beloop, volgens die bedryf (produsente-kelders en wingerdkonsultante) se oesskatting van 29 November 2011.

2012 Wine Grape Crop - bigger than 2011 in all districts, except Stellenbosch
The 2012 wine grape crop should amount to 1 351 714 tons, according to industry (producer cellars and viticultural consultants) estimates on 29 November 2011.

Larger wine harvest 2012 expected
The wine industry is positive that a good growing season will yield a larger harvest, despite a decline in the area under vines in recent years.

Seasonal Overview (Winter & Spring 2011) and crop expectations for 2012
Read SAWIS' report here