There is a particular rhythm to this season in Stellenbosch – early mornings, measured decisions, and the quiet momentum of fruit moving from vineyard to cellar after months of careful work.
For us at Friesland Wines, harvest is more than a date on the calendar. It is the moment when the season begins to speak, and when all the work in the vineyard starts to take shape in the cellar. It is a demanding time, but also a deeply rewarding one, filled with purpose, focus, and excitement.
This year is especially meaningful as we begin the journey toward our 2026 Sauvignon Blanc. While the wine is still months away from release, its character begins here – in the timing of the pick, the quality of the fruit, and the care taken in every early step. These are the choices that shape the style to come.
Our 2025 Sauvignon Blanc gave us a profile we were very pleased with, and it remains a beautiful reference point for what we love in this wine. It showed vibrant fruit and fresh green notes, with a crisp, grippy acidity that carried through to a long, lingering finish – expressive, structured, and unmistakably fresh.
As we look ahead to 2026, we hope to follow that same line of balance and energy. The Bottelary Hills and their proximity to the ocean bring a climate rhythm that suits this style well: warm days for flavour development, with cooler evenings and sea breezes helping to preserve freshness and natural acidity in the fruit.
That balance is what makes Sauvignon Blanc so compelling at this stage of the season. We are looking for ripeness, but never heaviness; freshness, but never austerity. Harvest is where that tension is guided and protected, from the vineyard through the cellar, one decision at a time.
As the 2026 season progresses, we look forward to sharing more updates from Friesland Wines. For now, we are grateful to be in harvest once again and excited for what lies ahead. We are especially looking forward to releasing our 2026 Friesland Sauvignon Blanc later this year, and sharing the new vintage with you in due course.