An exceptionally cold winter followed by a near-perfect growing season through spring and summer has produced superb fruit quality and above-average yields for Kleine Zalze Wines’ current grape harvest. “Conditions leading up to this year’s harvest have been like a perfect golf swing,” says Kleine Zalze viticulturist Henning Retief. “From vineyard dormancy in a cold winter, through bud break, berry set and veraison, conditions have been ideal, and this is reflected in the exceptional fruit we are busy harvesting.” This year’s harvest in Stellenbosch, Darling and Durbanville began 10–14 days earlier than normal. “The hot, dry and windy weather patterns since November played a role in this early start, but the entire season was ahead of schedule, with bud break about 10 days earlier,” Retief adds. “At one stage the relentlessly warm, dry conditions through December and early January were a concern, but grape quality is determined by the vine’s physiology over the previous one or two years,” he explains. “Last year’s brilliantly cold winter set the pace, ensuring the vines developed balanced chemistry in the ripe fruit and an authentic expression of varietal character and terroir.”