Flavoursome, healthy fruit has arrived at the Robertson cellar as fast as the team can handle it at Graham Beck Wines, indicating an excellent vintage for 2012. 

Harvest-proper began at the farm on Thursday 12 January; characteristically early compared to coastal areas. A heat wave early in the month expedited the ripening without any impact on the quality of the fruit; the first being Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes destined for use in Méthode Cap Classique.

Cellar Master Pieter Ferreira was equally enthused by the quality of the grapes – which he described as “beautiful” – and the quantity of the yield. By the end of the first week some 700 tons had entered the cellar production stream at the newly-expanded sparkling wine facility.

Chardonnay for the Blanc de Blancs was harvested on Tuesday 24 January, the picking and whole bunch pressing captured for posterity on You Tube (click here). Cooler weather conditions were tweeted excitedly by Pieter @bubblesferreira; cool weather being an asset in the production of Méthode Cap Classique.

The harvest was celebrated with a customary march on Tuesday 17 January by the Robertson cellar team. Inspired by a ritual march to close the harvest in Champagne, the Graham Beck team has marked the arrival of grapes with a colourful trek from vineyard to cellar for the past 11 years.

Attention will turn next to the still wine grapes, the early indications in Stellenbosch being “phenomenal” according to Cellar Master Erika Obermeyer, who says she “can’t wait” to start picking Sauvignon Blanc towards the end of next week.

Further news will be posted as the harvest continues. Progress can be followed as it occurs on twitter at #GBW2012.

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