As summer fades and the golden hues of early autumn settle over the vineyards, South African winemakers gear up for one of the most crucial times of the year—harvest season. It’s a time of early mornings, long days, and meticulous care, ensuring that each grape reaches the perfect balance of ripeness and flavour before being transformed into exceptional wines.
At Klein Champagne Estate, home of Mel Wines in the Franschhoek Valley, harvest is a time of both tradition and precision, as we handpick our grapes to craft wines that showcase the best of our terroir.
When Is Harvest Season in South Africa?
Unlike the Northern Hemisphere, where harvest typically takes place between September and October, South African wineries begin harvesting their grapes from late January to April. The exact timing depends on several factors, including the grape variety, climate conditions, and the style of wine being produced.
- White varieties, such as Chardonnay, are usually picked earlier (late January to early March) to retain their fresh acidity and crisp flavours.
- Red varieties, including Pinotage, Nebbiolo, and Sangiovese, require more time on the vine to develop their tannins and complexity, often being harvested between March and April.
- Some late-ripening varieties, like Nebbiolo, are known for their extended hang time, requiring a careful balance of warmth and cool evenings to reach the desired ripeness.
The Science Behind the Perfect Pick
Harvesting isn’t just about choosing the right date—it’s a precise process influenced by sugar levels (Brix), acidity, and pH.
- Sugar Levels (Brix): This determines the potential alcohol content of the wine. White wines are typically harvested between 20-23° Brix, while reds are picked at 23-26° Brix for fuller-bodied expressions.
- Acidity & pH: Wines need a balance of acidity for freshness and ageing potential. Chardonnay, for example, thrives with higher acidity to maintain its crispness, while Nebbiolo benefits from a slow ripening process to develop its signature balance of firm tannins and bright acidity.
- Temperature & Climate: In Franschhoek, cool mountain breezes help moderate summer heat, allowing slow ripening and flavour development—particularly beneficial for elegant reds like Sangiovese and Nebbiolo.
At Klein Champagne, we rely on a combination of scientific testing and old-world intuition, tasting and testing the fruit from the vines to determine when each block is ready for picking.
Cultivars That Define South African Winemaking
South Africa is home to a diverse range of grape varieties, each with unique characteristics suited to different regions.
- Pinotage: South Africa’s signature grape, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsault, known for its bold, smoky flavours and deep red fruit character.
- Chardonnay: A favourite in the Franschhoek Valley, producing everything from crisp, unoaked styles to rich, barrel-aged expressions.
- Sangiovese: An Italian variety thriving at Klein Champagne, offering vibrant cherry, spice, and fresh acidity—perfect for food pairings.
- Nebbiolo: The king of Italian reds, demanding patience in the vineyard with its late ripening and high tannin structure, but rewarding with complex, age-worthy wines.
Harvest at Klein Champagne: A Labour of Love
For the team at Mel Wines, harvest is about more than just picking grapes—it’s about capturing the essence of the land in every bottle. Each row of vines tells a story of the season, the climate, and the meticulous care that has gone into the growth of each bunch.
From the early morning hand-picking of Sangiovese to the careful pressing of Chardonnay, every decision made during harvest shapes the final wine. It’s a demanding but rewarding time, filled with anticipation as the fruit is brought into the cellar, ready to begin its journey to becoming something truly special.
As the last bins of Nebbiolo are collected and the cool autumn air starts to settle in, we know that another vintage is in the making—one that will soon be poured into glasses and shared with wine lovers across the world.
Here’s to another incredible harvest season in South Africa—one of nature’s greatest collaborations between land, climate, and passion. 🍷