Harvest begins at Saronsberg
Before we pick a single grape this is what matters: The signals guiding our first picks and the wines taking shape in the cellar.
January at Saronsberg is always a rewarding month. It's early mornings, the start of harvest, and anticipation as the first proper signs of our vintages begin to unmask themselves.
This year, our harvest began a little earlier than usual, with our Saronsberg Chardonnay grapes coming in around 5 January.
As always, our harvest days start before dawn. By 4 a.m. our team is already in the vineyards, working block by block, and picking each bunch by hand to protect the freshness of our grapes.
Deciding when to begin our harvest is never based on dates alone, it's a balance of science, experience, and teamwork.
Our viticulture and winemaking team taste the fruit, check its ripeness, measure acidity, and look closely at what the vines are showing them. This is what guides every harvest decision that we make here at Saronsberg.
Have you ever wondered how to know when it's the right time to harvest? Come with us into the vineyards as we show you exactly how to check if the grapes are ready for harvest. Click HERE to watch the video.
As harvest continues, our attention now turns to our Shiraz, our defining variety. This is always an exciting stage for us, as Shiraz plays such an important role in shaping Saronsberg's identity and the wines we're best known for.
New wines released
Alongside our harvest, we've also introduced three new wines worth knowing about:
De Steen Chenin Blanc 2025
Our De Steen Chenin Blanc 2025 takes its name from the shale-rich soils it grows in, soils that contribute to the wine's focus and texture.
In the glass, it shows bright stone fruit, gentle citrus notes, and a poised, textured palate. It's very good with grilled line fish, fresh summer salads, roast chicken, or simple summer meals enjoyed outdoors.
Lady at the Water Rosé 2025
Our Lady at the Water Rosé 2025, named after the sculpture overlooking our dam, brings a lighter, more expressive side to the range.
A small addition of dry Muscat lifts the aromatics, while the finish remains clean and dry. Served chilled, it pairs very well with seafood on the braai, summer mezze, or relaxed lunches, and with Valentine's Day approaching, it's a lovely bottle to have ready for moments worth marking.
Desert Lily Pinot Noir 2025
We've also released our Desert Lily Pinot Noir, this is a very limited wine available exclusively in our tasting room.
With delicate red fruit, gentle spice, and a refined finish, it's a wine we're particularly excited about, and one that's already been receiving wonderful feedback. This is a wine best experienced with a little guidance from our tasting team, and we hope you'll have the chance to taste it with us while it's still available.
Click HERE to book a tasting.
As our vintages unfold, there's much to look forward to, in the vineyards, the cellar, and the tasting room.
We hope we'll see you on the farm throughout the year, and we look forward to sharing the season with you as it takes shape.