South Africa made a brilliant vintage in 2025, as producers we met in February already suspected. The total volume is estimated to be 11.4% higher than in 2024. But 2024 was a tiny harvest, and the 2025 production remains relatively low compared to the average annual production over the past two decades. The reason is the decline and the ageing of the vineyards in the country.
The surface area has decreased by 1,304 hectares in the past year and is currently at 86,544 hectares.
Mild and dry conditions contributed to excellent quality grapes. There were problems during the winter, though. Rain in July led to flooding along riverbanks for the third consecutive year, but the damage to vineyards was limited. The winter rains replenished the dams and secured irrigation water for the growing season. Conditions close to harvest were moderate to cool and dry, apart from brief heat peaks in December and January that resulted in occasional sunburn, particularly in the Swartland and other dryland areas.
In general, however, conditions were optimal for both early-ripening, mid-ripening, and late-ripening varieties this year.
Read more: SAwine.
Travel: Come on a wine tour to South Africa with BKWine.
See: See pictures and videos from South Africa 2025 in the wine tours Facebook group.
