This past season was a rollercoaster of contrasting weather conditions, keeping our viticulture team on their toes. Yet, by rolling up our sleeves and a touch of Spier magic, we emerged on top.
A tale of two seasons
2023's wet finale transitioned into a surprisingly dry and warm April and May. But June brought a dramatic shift, with heavy rains courtesy of cold fronts that drenched the Western Cape. Winter saw consistent rain and chilly nights, perfect for even bud break come spring. Just as September promised a fresh start, an intense two-day downpour drenched our vineyards. We couldn’t even walk among the vines for weeks because the ground was so wet.
The following months were a puzzling mix – a very rainy September followed by an extended dry spell from October to January. Chilly winds from the south and southwest extended the cool period into early January. As summer approached, the intense heat was countered by cool nights, ideal for developing deep colours in the red grapes. January saw record-high temperatures, followed by a return to cooler nights and mild days in February. This provided the perfect setting for both white and red grapes to mature to perfection.
An early-bird harvest
Believe it or not, we started picking grapes earlier than we ever have before. It was all hands on deck from 10 January, with our team moving at lightning speed to bring in the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for our Cap Classique. Everything ripened up quicker than expected, but thanks to our quick-thinking crew, we managed to keep up with the pace.
Despite lower yields, especially in Pinotage, the quality of the fruit was outstanding, particularly from our Durbanville and Darling farms, where the dryland conditions contributed to a harvest yielded fruit that is on par with long term crop estimates.
From grapes to greatness
The harvest season is a flurry of activity in the vineyards and cellar, filled with the sound of tractors bringing in grapes and the smell of fermentation in the air. Our first batches of grapes showed off their quality right from the start, with vibrant fruit flavours and natural acidity setting the tone for a promising vintage. Our cellar team expertly handled the challenge of everything ripening all at once early on and figured out how to deal with grapes from different places maturing at different times.
A vintage to remember
Comparing it to previous years, the 2024 vintage is set not just to match but potentially exceed the amazing vintages of 2015 and 2017 in terms of quality and character. Our expectations for this vintage are high – we anticipate something truly special. But of course, greatness doesn't come in a single shape or form, and it certainly doesn't happen without a collective effort.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who had a hand in this year’s harvest – from the vineyard to the cellar, and every step in between. It’s been a wild ride, but one that reminds us how if we look after the land and look after our people, the wine will show the results.
Stay tuned for sneak peeks, detailed insights, and news on when these exciting new vintages will be available for you to taste. In the meantime, explore our current collection of award-winning wines HERE.