Harvest 2026 is progressing beautifully, with long days in the vineyards and plenty of activity in the winery. There is something deeply satisfying about this time of year; early starts, full picking bins, and that unmistakable sense that another vintage story is being written, one cluster at a time. The pace is busy, the energy is high, and yes, the coffee consumption is heroic.
February also gives us a reason to raise a glass to history. On 2 February, we celebrated the South African wine birthday, marking 367 years since the first Cape wine was made in 1659. That is a legacy worth toasting, so we are offering complimentary wine tastings for the day. Come and sip along with centuries of tradition; no birthday candles required.
Later in the month, another perfectly good excuse presents itself. Global Drink Wine Day on 18 February invites everyone to do exactly what it says on the label. We will be celebrating with complimentary tastings once again, because some days deserve to be simple, cheerful, and filled with good wine.
Harvest season at Diemersfontein is also best experienced up close, and our Harvest Experience Evenings are lined up for 7, 21, and 28 February, with another evening on 7 March. These nights bring together vineyard atmosphere, cellar insight, and the kind of conversations that flow easily when a glass is in hand and harvest is in the air.
While the vines take centre stage, the farm is also looking ahead in a different way. A special project is currently underway, with the guidance of the team at Prime Trees, to plant 250 mature trees across Diemersfontein. It is an exciting step toward shaping the landscape for generations to come; more shade, more beauty, and more places for future visitors to pause with a glass and a view.
And of course, February would not be complete without a little romance. Valentine’s Dinner at SMUL Restaurant promises a warm and memorable occasion, with wonderful food, Diemersfontein wines, and just the right atmosphere for celebrating love, laughter, and good company. Booking is highly recommended; Cupid is popular this time of year…
So here we are, in the heart of harvest, surrounded by grapes, guided by grit, and heading straight toward greatness. February at Diemersfontein is full of movement, milestones, and moments worth sharing.
We look forward to welcoming you on the farm soon!
Shop now for some harvest-time savings
Diemersfontein Rosé 2025: SAVE 10% – Now only R540 per case
Click HERE to shop.
First harvest report: An overview of harvest 2026 by Francois Roode
Contrary to our anticipations, harvest 2026 ended up commencing quite on par with last year’s timeline, even though we were expecting an earlier start due to the dry conditions the latter half of spring and throughout the summer. The cold winter in 2025 ensured proper rest for the vines, leading to a very generous fruit bearing year. It’s exciting to see such a large number of bunches on the vines and everything is looking very promising.
We started off by picking one of our blocks of Pinotage first, the same block where the fruit ripens quite quickly and normally ends up signalling the start of the vintage. This was followed by some of our Old Vine Chenin Blanc making its way to the cellar, destined to become our super special The Clockmaker.
It’s still early days, but the weather predictions show dry conditions for February. Luckily, we still have some water in our dams, but we realize that this is a resource we should respect and use responsibly. It may perhaps lead to a small inter-departmental water skirmish between the post-harvest irrigation undertaken by the vineyard team and the ongoing landscaping maintenance by the gardening team.
The final months of last year saw us uprooting several vineyard blocks, as they were no longer delivering good yields, and didn’t show any viable potential to retain them to become certified Old Vines. Once all the grapes have been brought to the cellar, we’ll nurture the wines through fermentation until they can be put to rest for their maturation. We’ll then start with our envisioned two-year plan to replant the cleared land with varietals and clones more conducive to our growing conditions and growing the production volumes of our portfolio.
If you’d like to get a little behind-the-scenes perspective of what Lauren, our cellar team and I get up to during harvest time, you can join one of our Diemersfontein Harvest Experience evenings. We started hosting these evenings two years ago, giving our guests a peek behind the curtain on the day-to-day operations of harvest. The entire experience is only R395 per person, with four dates available for you to choose from: the 7th, 21stand 28th of February, as well as the 7th of March. To ensure the safety of our guests and due to the capacity of the tractor, spaces are limited – avoid disappointment by securing your spot via the Diemersfontein Website E-Store before the evenings become fully booked.
We’ll start off your visit with a welcome drink on arrival, before taking a short tractor ride for a wine tasting among the vines. This is followed by visit to our cellar, giving you the rundown of how the grapes from our vineyards are transformed into the wines you love. The evening then concludes with a ‘long table-style’ two-course dinner at SMUL Restaurant.
So, I think that’s it for now… Be on the lookout for my next Harvest Report at the beginning of March. I’m looking forward to the remaining weeks of harvest 2026, and the chance to welcome you on one of our Harvest Experience evenings.
Upcoming events
Harvest Experience: Giving you a glimpse behind the scenes
It’s with great excitement that we invite you on a journey for a glimpse into what our vineyard- and winemaking teams get up to during this exciting time of year!
Join us for an evening in celebration of harvest 2026!!
Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, before a visit to the heart of the harvest operation for a tour of the wine cellar, thereafter taking a short tractor ride to enjoy a wine tasting in the vineyards. The experience will conclude with a two-course ‘long table-style’ dinner at SMUL Restaurant. Join this experience at only R395 per person.
Spaces are limited, so we’ve made four Harvest Experience dates available for you to choose from: 7, 21 and 28 February, as well as 7 March.
Click HERE to book.
Valentine's dinner at SMUL Restaurant
Celebrate love this Valentine’s Day with an unforgettable dinner at SMUL Restaurant!
Join us for a romantic evening designed for two, featuring a beautifully curated three-course Valentine’s Dinner at R995 per couple.
Begin with a decadent starter of Baked Camembert, topped with Diemersfontein Chenin Blanc and vanilla-poached pear, finished with thyme and caramelised walnuts, served alongside crisp crostini slices.
For your main course, choose between: Woodfire oven-baked Kingklip with green beans, fondant potato, and a lemon caper beurre blanc, or a perfectly cooked 250g Rib Eye, served with fondant potato, seasonal greens, and red Chimichurri.
End your evening on a sweet note with dessert: either a rich Espresso Martini or a classic Crème Brûlée.
Bookings are essential!
Secure your seat by making a reservation by sending an email to info@smulrestaurant.co.za or by calling/sending a WhatsApp to 069 687 5904.
Make this Valentine’s Day one to remember at SMUL.
Diemersfontein Country Market
Date: Sunday, 1 March 2026
Time: 10h00 to 14h00
Cost: FREE ENTRY!
Venue: Diemersfontein Estate, Wellington