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Bright and early on the morning of Monday, 25th January 2010, the La Motte wine estate began their 2010 harvest.  Harvest began relatively late this year due to a long winter and a moderate summer, but later varietals appeared early, more than likely due to warm weather in January and a lower harvest, so the harvest was more balanced than in previous years.

 The first grapes to arrive were Sauvignon Blanc from block ten vineyard; the highest block at La Motte, and by the end of the first day a total of 6.98 tonnes of grapes had been harvested.

The 2010 harvest is lower than in 2009, which was also low, and this is as a result of strong winds in flower time while downy mildew also played a small part.  What remains is a mixed bag of green and ripe bunches which will no doubt make the end result an interesting one.   Wine experts say that 2010 is looking to be the most complicated season of their careers. La Motte’s team comments: “We’re going to make interesting wine this year.”

While in the background the grapes were directed into the de-stalker and the harvest continued, Hein Koegelenberg- CEO of La Motte, Edmund Terblanche- La Motte winemaker, Michael Langenhoven- assistant winemaker and Pietie le Roux- senior farm manager, toasted one another to celebrate the joyous occasion.  

Signing off on a positive note, Hein commented: “We are very excited and optimistic about harvest time, and never more so than now in 2010. Everyone at La Motte is committed to making this harvest as successful as possible as it’s a positive year for the local wine industry and South Africa as a whole.”