Last Updated: Mar 2, 2026

Harvest 2026 is officially in full swing at Cavalli Estate — and as anticipated, it’s shaping up to be a big one. This year, we began picking on 14 January — a full 15 days earlier than in 2025. The reason? A dry, hot stretch from November through January that accelerated ripening across the vineyards.

Sugar levels climbed quickly and confidently — which, naturally, made the cellar team a little nervous. Then, just as suddenly, they eased off and slowed down towards the end of January… which made everyone slightly nervous again. Harvest has a way of keeping even the most experienced winemakers humble.

As tradition dictates, Verdelho opened the season. Ripening was beautifully even, allowing the team to complete all picks within seven days — a smooth and encouraging start to what is clearly a larger vintage. From there, attention shifted between Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc, with careful scheduling and precise vineyard decisions guiding every pick. In total, 15 separate picks were completed in just 21 days.

Chardonnay ripened steadily and predictably, even with higher tonnage than last year — a testament to vineyard balance and meticulous farming. Chenin Blanc, however, demanded deeper focus. While it started strong, the final stages required careful monitoring to achieve the perfect harmony between sugar and acidity. Between Rianie and the winemaking team, every row was walked repeatedly — some vines tasted multiple times. That diligence paid off. The result? Fruit that the team is genuinely excited about.

With Malbec for the Warlord arriving first, followed closely by Shiraz, red season is now fully underway — weekends included. Currently, harvest sits at approximately 66% complete, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot still to come. If early indicators hold, 2026 will be a significantly larger harvest than 2025. Despite the additional tonnage, the cellar team is managing beautifully — a reflection of professionalism, preparation, and passion.

There’s nothing quite like the rhythm of harvest — the early mornings, the long days, the quiet intensity as grapes become wine. While harvest is a focused time behind the cellar doors, its energy flows throughout the entire estate. You can feel it in the vineyards, in the gardens, in every glass poured on the terrace. We invite you to visit Cavalli during this extraordinary season — to taste the wines that begin their journey now, to linger over lunch surrounded by fynbos and mountains, and to experience the harmony between nature, craft, and place. Because long before a wine reaches your glass, the story has already begun.