This year saw our 30th harvest at Beyerskloof. Over the past three decades, each season has taught us something new about Pinotage, our vineyards, and patience. This harvest was a celebration of where we started and where we are today.
Harvest 2026 kicked off 14 days earlier than last year, and a week ahead of our usual schedule by design, with picking starting on 26 January 2026.
Our Pinotage, especially the bush vine vineyards, delivered significantly higher yields compared to 2025. Timely rainfall mid- to late February provided much-needed relief in the vineyards, followed by a heat wave in the second week of March that required careful management in both vineyard and cellar.
We wrapped up the season on 17 March with our Eerste Ry Cabernet Sauvignon, showing excellent sugar levels from this mature vineyard block.
"Overall, we had good, healthy grapes and the quality is already showing in the cellar. It was a long harvest with a few challenges, including the heatwave and some rain, but we really can’t complain.
We’re about 10% up on production, and the quality looks very promising. I’ve also experimented with a few new approaches in the cellar this year, using different yeasts and picking some Pinotage earlier, so there’s definitely something exciting to look forward to with the 2026 wines."
- Anri Truter, winemaker at Beyerskloof
Based in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape, Beyerskloof is one of the leading red wine producers in South Africa, specialising in Pinotage and Pinotage blends.
Tasting room: Mon to Sat, 09h00 - 16h30 & Sun, 10h00 – 16h30
Wine sales: Mon to Sat, 09h00 - 16h30 & Sun, 10h00 – 16h30
Red Leaf Bistro: Tue to Sun, 10h00 – 17h00 (kitchen closes at 16h00)