The new year kicked off with a bang, and it was all systems go with a vintage that was around 10-14 days earlier than usual due to the very warm and dry conditions. The September to December period was the driest in more than 10 years and has resulted in medium to small berries across all varieties. Here at Flagstone Wines, we expect a good quality and healthy grape harvest, though smaller than initial indications due to the dry conditions, especially in the dry land growing regions. Our first grapes were picked in the second-last week of January. The first Pinotage grapes arrived in the cellar on 5 February. Photos: CJ Marais