For the entire month of February 2023, South Africa will be celebrating the most significant event on its wine calendar: celebrating the wine industry’s birthday by commemorating the 364th South African grape wine harvest.
South Africa is the only country that can pinpoint the exact starting date of its wine industry, thanks to a diary entry by Jan van Riebeeck on 2 February 1659: “Today, praise be to God, wine was made for the first time from Cape grapes.”
This date, 2 February, marks the start of the country’s wine harvest celebrations, when South Africa invites all with a passion for wine – the business community, producers, social sippers, connoisseurs, restaurateurs, collectors and retail outlets, wherever they come from – to raise their glasses in a tribute to South Africa’s rich wine heritage.
Wine Harvest Commemorative Event
The annual Wine Harvest Commemorative Event will be hosted at Groot Constantia Wine Estate in Cape Town on 2 February, during the wine industry’s birthday month. This is when the wine industry officially recognises individuals and organisations for their exceptional contribution in the categories of Visionary Leadership (with the 1659 Visionary Leadership Award), Diversity and Transformation, Wine Appreciation and Wine Advancement, and Viticulture and Wine Creation.
Over the years, many greats have been honoured, such as Nelson Mandela, the Unsung Wine Workers, Ntsiki Biyela, Norma Ratcliffe, Beyers Truter, and Charles Back. And in 2022, Carmen Stevens, Denise Stubbs, Francois Viljoen and Christine Rudman were added to this group of outstanding leaders.
Toast our natural diversity
Protecting the country’s abundant biodiversity is a universal priority. South African wine producers big and small, from coast to coast, are keenly aware that they are guardians of the land upon which they ply their trade.
South Africa’s varied and much-loved natural floral kingdoms deserve appreciation, as 95% of its wine growing takes place in the unique habitat of the Cape Floral Kingdom. Maintaining a balance between nature and farming is essential and makes South Africa unique when it comes to wines of origin and wine-growing terroirs, which are the heart and soul of South Africa’s wine industry and eloquently express the extraordinary wealth of the country’s wines.
Get set to celebrate
Don’t miss out! Add Thursday 2 February 2023 to your diary, look out for SA wine birthday events across South Africa, and join in the celebration of South Africa’s lasting wine legacy throughout the month!
To join the celebration virtually, follow the link www.sawineharvest.co.za on 2 February 2023 and raise your glass of – and to – South African wine!
Share your special celebratory events of the SA Wine Birthday on social media with @sawineharvest using the hashtag #HappyBirthdaySAwine.