The end of harvest is always a bittersweet moment for us here at Rijk's Wine Estate and Hotel, where the culmination of months of dedicated hard work signals both closure and anticipation. As the final bunches of grapes find their place within our cellar, we reflect on the journey behind us with a mix of nostalgia and eagerness for what lies ahead.
This year the harvest was earlier, smaller and more compact than previous years but we are excited to see what quality this vintage will bring. Smaller clusters and berries meant we had loads of concentration of flavour in the must.
The Pinotage is already in barrel, busy with malolactic fermentation and the last of the Chenin Blancs are finishing up with alcoholic fermentation. This year we got to experiment with new fermentation vessels in the cellar, which is very exciting, and even though it’s still early days, we are thrilled with the outcome so far!
But even as we celebrate the conclusion of the harvest, our work is far from over. The cellar team continues to meticulously tend to the newly made wines, racking, blending, and preparing the wines for the aging process. Meanwhile, Daniel and the farm team are busy with post-harvest processes, ensuring the vineyards are tended to with care, and laying the groundwork for the seasons to come.
As we approach a well-deserved period of rest, thoughts of the future linger, with plans for cover crops already taking shape in the back of our minds.
As our team diligently crafts our latest harvest, why not take a moment to discover the wines currently available. Explore our online selection and find a bottle to enjoy!
View our wine range HERE