Steenberg’s 2025 Harvest: A Vintage to Watch!

Listen up, vintage wine collectors, because the 2025 harvest season has just about wrapped up, and it’s looking like a vintage to take note of, according to the Steenberg team. With near-perfect weather conditions, steady ripening, and good grape quality, winemaker Elunda Basson and viticulturist Vlok Hanekom are predicting an exquisite vintage coming out of the Constantia region.

A Historic Estate with a Unique Terroir

If you’re a fan of South African wine, you’ll know that Steenberg is one of the first registered farms in the Cape, dating back to 1682. The land benefits from ancient decomposed granite soils and a cooling ocean breeze from False Bay. These factors contribute to the signature minerality and complexity found in Steenberg’s Sauvignon Blanc and Bordeaux-style blends.

Balanced Conditions Lead to Exceptional Quality

Elunda Basson says that the 2025 growing season was “incredibly balanced,” with no extreme weather events—just steady ripening that allowed the grapes to develop beautifully. Their harvest kicked off on 16 January with Chardonnay for Steenberg’s Cap Classique (a fave of mine!), slightly later than in 2024, but yielding fresh, high-acid fruit perfect for ageing.

The estate’s signature Sauvignon Blanc was harvested from 23 January at 19 Balling, exactly on schedule. “Timing is everything,” says Basson, emphasising that despite a slow start to the season, the vineyards kept pace beautifully.

Mother Nature Played Along

While the season had its fair share of warm and cool spells, along with some rain, the ever-present Cape wind (gusting up to 66km/h!) dried the vines quickly, preventing any risk of disease. According to Hanekom, careful irrigation and vineyard management helped maintain acidity and balance, particularly in the Sauvignon Blanc.

“We’re beyond excited about the range of flavour profiles in this year’s Sauvignon Blanc,” says Basson. “Our flagship Black Swan Sauvignon Blanc is going to be something really special.”

As if it’s not already ;)

Red Wines Showing Phenomenal Promise

Beyond whites, Steenberg’s red varietals are also shining in 2025. The Cabernet Sauvignon is looking “picture-perfect,” thanks to late pruning, balanced bunches, and cool nights toward the end of the season, which helped preserve acidity and develop deep flavours.

“This could be one of the finest Cabernet Sauvignon vintages we’ve seen in years,” says Basson. “The structure and balance are incredible, which means excellent ageing potential.”

The estate’s Merlot harvest was smaller than usual, as some older blocks were removed in 2024, but quality remains top-notch. Meanwhile, Nebbiolo yielded above-average volumes, and Malbec was picked just in time to avoid any rain damage.

Sustainability at the Core of Success

One of the secrets behind Steenberg’s continued success is a deep commitment to sustainability. From regenerative soil management to strategic water conservation efforts, every decision is made with long-term vineyard health in mind.

“Our goal is to ensure our soils are rich and healthy for generations to come,” says Hanekom. “That’s how we consistently produce high-quality fruit.”

2025: A Vintage For Your Cellar

With harvest complete and fermentation underway, all eyes are now on the winemaking process. But one thing is clear: the 2025 vintage is shaping up to be one of Steenberg’s finest yet. If you’re a fan of their elegant Sauvignon Blancs, structured reds, or top-tier Cap Classique, this is definitely a vintage to watch!

Keep an eye out for these wines when they’re released—you won’t want to miss them!

Much wine love,

Leanne

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