How #DayZero effects the 2018 harvest at Boschendal

As we bid January and the starting-month of harvest adieu, a recent newsletter was sent out regarding “Day Zero”. This newsletter was spread widely, to inform people that even though we are going through strenuous and difficult times regarding water shortages – you (or more specifically Capetonians affected by the crisis) will not die. Unless, for lack of better judgement, you go on a water fast while preparing for the Comrades marathon and simultaneously suffer from a stomach bug that you contracted while swimming in India’s Yamuna – and last but not least – forgot to drink your Rehidrat.

But, on a more serious note there is a quote that I recently stumbled upon that resounded deeply with me and the struggles faced for everyone (industry-related or just a resident in the Cape) it reads:

“When we least expect it, life sets us a challenge to test our courage and willingness to change; at such a moment, there is no point in pretending that nothing has happened or in saying that we are not yet ready. The challenge will not wait. Life does not look back. A week is more than enough time for us to decide whether or not to accept our destiny.” Or that’s at least Paulo Coelho’s take on things.

From a more scientific and oenological point of view: Wine acids (TA) has been good thus far. This might however still change, as we have mostly harvested MCC grapes, but all-in-all analysis still looks very positive. At the start of harvest (circa week one) we had seen a tremendous drop in berry weights in some areas, however, with some of the other districts and even within a few wards, we have seen an increase in expected yields. But as with most things that have been established using “estimation”, numbers and quantities are only, genuinely accurate when all is said and done. Or rather, when all is harvested and crushed.

Danielle Jacobs, Boschendal, Assistant Winemaker