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South African winegrowers expect the 2018 harvest to be the smallest vintage since 2005 in terms of volume, and the massive and long-lasting drought is currently threatening the wineries and cooperatives, on which thousands of seasonal workers live. The shortage of water is now affecting viticulture for the third year in a row. The wine trade organisation VinPro warns that the water reservoirs are only thirty to about 40 percent full. Without rain, this would hardly be enough and thus have drastic consequences for the coming vintage.
In addition, frost in the spring there, i.e. in October and November, has caused severe damage in some wine-growing regions such as Robertson and Breedeklof. Those responsible therefore expect 2018 to bring the smallest harvest in over ten years. The Western Cape region is currently experiencing the largest and longest drought in the country's history. The significantly lower job opportunities for seasonal workers could also further exacerbate social tensions.
(uka / Photo: Wines of South Africa)