Hot weather with daytime temperatures above 35°C was recorded in November, January and February. Stellenbosch recorded 13 and 19 hours above 35°C in January and February. In contrast, only 5 and 6 hours above 35°C were recorded respectively for the same period in 2023. January’s night temperatures were also warmer than normal.

These sustained dry and hot conditions resulted in a harvest season that started about 14 days earlier. Producers recorded substantial declines in crop yields for early cultivars such as Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc.

The vines are all planted with the "stok by paaltjie" method on a terraced slope. We harvested the Chenin first and about a week later we picked the Rousanne and Marsanne together, after which we whole bunch pressed. After a quick settling, the juice were fermented in one 550L Amphorae and a 300L neutral barrel and left on the leese until preparation for bottling on the 9th October started. The wine was released in April 2025.