South Africa’s wine industry has produced an estimated 1.37 million tonnes of grapes in the 2026 harvest, marking a moderate recovery from the previous year whilst maintaining a strong focus on quality over volume.

The vintage, characterised by significant climatic variability throughout the growing season, has produced wines with concentrated flavours, balanced acidity and strong colour development in red varieties, according to industry experts.

The season presented producers with what viticulturists described as a “pendulum season”, with conditions shifting between drought and heavy rainfall. A warm, dry growing phase initially supported vineyard development, before February rainfall brought relief to water-stressed regions but also introduced disease pressure requiring careful management.

Heat spikes in March accelerated ripening and compressed harvest windows, demanding precise vineyard and cellar interventions. The result was smaller berries with concentrated flavours across most wine-producing regions.

Dr Etienne Terblanche, consultation service manager at Vinpro, said the season required producers to make precise, informed decisions. “This was a highly variable and technically demanding season, requiring producers to make precise, informed decisions in both the vineyard and cellar,” he said.

“From canopy management and irrigation discipline to selective harvesting and careful sorting under disease pressure, the 2026 harvest highlights the depth of expertise across our industry.”

The harvest comes as the global wine market faces oversupply, with slower consumer demand and pricing pressure constraining growth. In this environment, the industry has prioritised disciplined supply management and sustainable value growth over volume gains.

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Rico Basson, chief executive of South Africa Wine, said the industry had clear strategies to manage current market conditions. “The challenge in the current market is protecting value in an environment where global oversupply and pricing pressure are driving increased competition,” he said.

Around 60% of South African wine is consumed domestically, whilst exports reach more than 120 countries globally, providing market diversity and resilience.

Siobhan Thompson, chief executive of Wines of South Africa, said the vintage reinforced the country’s competitive positioning internationally. “Global markets are increasingly looking for authenticity, quality and consistency – and the 2026 vintage delivers on all three,” she said.

The harvest showed particularly strong results across Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage and Cabernet Sauvignon varieties.

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