Winemaker and viticulturist, Vusi Dalicuba, who joined Vergenoegd Löw after the 2021 harvest, is preparing for his fourth harvest here. Picking will be slightly later than in previous years, and that’s something he’s thrilled about. The cooler-than-usual climatic conditions leading up to the 2025 harvest have been ideal for the slow and even ripening of the grapes, promising an excellent vintage.
Vusi explains: "We have had a relatively cool lead-up to the harvest, allowing grapes to ripen in beautiful balance. That’s apart from the major benefit of being so close to the sea which plays a crucial role in keeping temperatures down, decelerating ripening and concentrating flavours. You might have not heard it yet, but we/the locals call this part of Stellenbosch 'Stellenbosch-by-the-Sea'.
"Other good news is that we’ve had a dry summer so that has kept disease at bay."
Earlier this week, Vusi was out in the vineyards. "The fruit is healthy with great acid levels and fabulous depth of flavour. We also have the advantage of lime-rich soils that lend freshness and vibrancy to the grapes."
Vusi is also looking forward to a potentially larger crop this vintage. Our ongoing vineyard replanting programme, which began in 2017, is bearing fruit, quite literally. "The young, trellised vines, particularly Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot, are really coming into their own, producing small bunches of exceptional quality grapes, and more of them than before."
Looking ahead, Vusi and his team are finalising their canopy management practices, including green bunch and shoot removal, as well as vigour control. They aim to complete these tasks by the end of January. In mid-February, it will be time to hand-pick South Africa’s flagship grape, Chenin Blanc, for Vergenoegd Löw Cap Classique, a variety that holds a special place in the estate’s rich heritage.
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