harvest report 2008
Seasonal influence
It
was in general a cooler season with a higher
rainfall.
|
Winter 2007 |
Normal winter temperature and
rainfall |
|
Spring 2007 |
Spring was cooler than normal with high rainfall and
frost early October. |
|
Early Summer 2007 |
December and January
were cooler than normal with a higher
rainfall in December. |
|
Harvest 2008 |
Normal temperature
and rainfall |
Challenges
Diseases in the vineyard
were a problem throughout the year because
of the high rainfall, overcast conditions
and general cool weather conditions. Fruit
fly was another problem that needed a lot of
attention.
Favourable growing
conditions required more canopy management
than usual. Early cultivars ripened later
and later cultivars were on time. Harvesting
was condensed and it put pressure on
processing facilities.
Positive
The cool growing season
helped with excellent flavours and colour
forming. Grapes are fully ripe at lower
sugar content and there are no green
flavours in the red wines. Cultivars that
did extremely well is Sauvignon Blanc,
Chardonnay, Viognier, Colombar, Merlot,
Pinotage and Ruby Cabernet.
average rainfall
2007/2008
|
Montagu |
310 mm |
|
Barrydale |
325 mm |
|
Ladismith |
355 mm |
|
Calitzdorp |
230 mm |
|
Oudtshoorn |
235 mm |
harvest tonnage the past 5 years
| 2004 |
44 522 |
| 2005 |
37 220 |
| 2006 |
37 051 |
| 2007 |
47 174 |
| 2008 |
42 500 |
cultivars planted in 2006
(Numbered 1 - 10, 1 being the most widely
planted cultivar)
| |
Cultivar |
Used for |
| 1 |
Colombar |
Brandy; grape juice; wine |
| 2 |
Chenin Blanc |
Brandy; wine |
| 3 |
Sauvignon Blanc |
Wine |
| 4 |
Chardonnay |
Wine |
| 5 |
Red Muscadel |
Jerepigo |
| 6 |
Tinta Barocca |
Port; red wine |
| 7 |
White Muscadel |
Jerepigo |
| 8 |
Cabernet Franc |
Red wine |
| 9 |
Viognier |
Wine |
| 10 |
Petit Verdot |
Red wine |
Mainly cultivars used in
the production of brandy, white wine,
Jerepigo and Port are being planted. Be
course of the low profit margin of red
wines, few red wine cultivars are being
planted.
