Will the current heat wave influence the upcoming harvest?

Not, says Eben Archer, viticulture expert at Nietvoorbij, if the vines are looked after and it doesn't extend for too long. According to wine farmers, the timing of the heat spike can be to the advantage of the harvest, which is to start seriously in the Stellenbosch area during the second week of next month.

Landbouweekblad’s website reports that Archer said that temperatures of between 30 and 35 degrees are what the grapes need at this stage of development. Viticulturalists say it is positive for colour formation, and up to now berry development has been consistent due to the mild early summer.

Although temperatures in Paarl and the Swartland were well into the 40s this week, Archer says grapes are only effected negatively if it stays over 40 for seven days or longer. Predictions are that the summer heat is easing.

Beyers Truter of Beyerskloof is optimistic about the upcoming harvest. Dealing with the heat spike is part of precautions in the vineyard.