South African drought brings threat of lower production

South African wine producers are braced for a tricky growing year, after another dry winter. South Africa’s dams and reservoirs normally recharge over winter, but the ongoing drought will cause a decrease in the volume of grapes if things do not change.

Wim Truter, head winemaker at KWV said in Harpers 'The drought will have a real effect on the grape growing environment, with vineyards heavily reliant on irrigation schemes expected to be hard hit as allocations of water are slashed to 30% or less.'

Regions particularly hit will be to the North of Cape town in Swartland and Darling.