After a turbulent post-harvest season marked by floods, gale-force winds, and weather extremes, the 2025 harvest conditions delivered a welcome shift—one built on precision, patience, and promise.
From the vineyard slopes of Stellenbosch to the wind-swept soils of Cape Agulhas and the cool air of Elgin, this vintage tells a story of balance and breakthrough. With a final total of 438.12 tons harvested, 2025 has proven to be a season of careful cultivation and creative momentum.
A Vintage Shaped by Nature—and Nurture
Thanks to dry, moderate conditions during spring and summer, the fruit came in clean and concentrated. The real turning point? Extended hang time. Grapes remained on the vine ten days longer than the previous year—ripening slowly, developing nuanced flavours, and reaching optimal phenolic ripeness without excessive sugar buildup. It’s this kind of slow maturation that sets the foundation for balance, depth, and age-worthiness.
Post-harvest conditions in 2024 had already set the scene: record-breaking winter rains replenished water reserves, and warm, dry days encouraged strong canopy development—creating ideal growing conditions across Quoin Rock’s three distinctive vineyard pockets.
Under the expert guidance of Head Viticulturist Nico Walters, the vineyard team worked with tireless precision to prepare for the 2025 harvest. Their meticulous care ensured that each grape arrived in the cellar at optimal ripeness, setting a strong foundation for what promises to be a remarkable vintage.
“We had optimal harvesting conditions this year. The berries were beautiful and bold. I cannot wait to see the end result.”
— Nico Walters, Head Viticulturist
The Numbers Behind the Vintage
Tonnage Breakdown:
•Red Grapes – 253 tons
• White Grapes – 185 tons
Harvest Origins:
• 80.6% from Stellenbosch
• 14.5% from Cape Agulhas
• 4.8% from Elgin
The reds show deep, vibrant colour, layered complexity, and finely structured tannins. The whites are equally compelling—bright, mineral-driven, and elegantly balanced. Every batch tells a story, shaped by the season, the soil, and the people behind it—a story of evolution and quiet triumph.
“One of, if not the best, of my career so far. Time will tell.”
— Schalk Opperman, Cellar Master
“From the moment the first grapes arrived at the cellar, I knew we were working with something special this year.”
— Pieter Coetzee, Winemaker
In the Cellar: Innovation and Intuition
Innovation defined this vintage from the moment the grapes arrived. Our new amphora made its debut, fermenting Chenin Blanc on skins—an old-world technique, revived with modern insight.
Our rosé was reimagined using stabulation (extended contact with grape solids and dry ice in steel tanks) to intensify mouthfeel and aromatics. It’s a small tweak with a big impact—and one that builds on our success with the 2024 vintage, South Africa’s best rosé ofthe year.
We also harvested Marselan for the first time—a thick-skinned, deeply coloured grape that’s already showing promise in early barrel tastings.
On the sustainability front, grape skins were upcycled into eco-fire logs through our collaboration with Vinolog. Waste minimised, warmth maximised.
From the Cellar: What Schalk and Pieter Are Watching Closely
Schalk Opperman – Cellar Master
• White: Rooikat Block Chardonnay – focused, structured and intense
• Red: Cabernet Franc Clones 214 and 623 – intense fruit, elegant tannins
Pieter Coetzee – Winemaker
• White: Amphora-aged Chenin Blanc – texture meets purity
• Red: Simonsberg Red Blend – restraint, balance, and finesse
With five years of synergy between them, Schalk and Pieter continue to set a high standard of thoughtful, terroir-driven winemaking.
National Context: A Banner Year for South African Wine
South Africa’s wine industry is celebrating what it describes as a season of exceptional grape quality, marked by favourable growing conditions and steady ripening across the country.
According to Dr Etienne Terblanche (Vinpro), cooler temperatures during ripening preserved acidity and enhanced flavour and colour development—especially in Pinotage, Shiraz, and Chardonnay.
"These are wines we can be proud of," he says.
Despite isolated heat spikes and a shrinking vineyard footprint, the quality of the 2025 vintage reinforces the country’s focus on premiumisation and sustainable growth.
According to SAWIS, the national 2025 grape harvest totalled 1.244 million tonnes, underscoring the resilience and commitment of South African growers and winemakers.
“The 2025 vintage presents us with a compelling story to take to international markets,”
— Siobhan Thompson, CEO, Wines of South Africa (WoSA)
“What matters most is not only the quality in the glass, but also the value created through a focused global presence.”
— Rico Basson, CEO, South Africa Wine
Final Thoughts
As we move into post-harvest maturation, the outlook remains optimistic. With stable weather, revitalised soils, and renewed cellar momentum, Quoin Rock is set to deliver wines that are bold, balanced, and built to last.
“The 2025 vintage showcases the skill, resilience, and dedication of our industry. South African wines continue to impress globally, and this harvest reaffirms our commitment to quality and sustainability.”
— Rico Basson, CEO, South Africa Wine
References
- SA Wine (2025) – Favourable conditions leave South African wine producers hopeful of a good-quality 2025 harvest
https://sawine.co.za - Farmer’s Weekly (2025) – Promising outlook for 2025 wine grape harvest
https://www.farmersweekly.co.za - SA Wine (2025) – 2025 harvest expectation signals improvement for South African wine industry
https://sawine.co.za - Bizcommunity (2025) – South Africa's wine industry shines with 2025 vintage
https://www.bizcommunity.com/article/south-africa-wine-industry-shines-with-2025-vintage-473369a#
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