As harvest 2014 draws closer, we meet with an excited Donald Mouton – Fairview Vineyard Manager – to hear his thoughts and predictions on this year’s harvest.

“Last year saw above average rainfall in the area. The average rainfall over the past 17 years has been 550ml, and last winter saw a particularly high reading of 680ml. Although particularly heavy showers in October affected pollination of the late cultivars, the overall crop is looking very good.

There seems to be a higher yield of Merlot and Cabernet, especially on the Stellenbosch farm. The whites, as usual, should produce good yields in 2014.

Despite the high pressure of the late rains, disease-control has been well implemented and the vineyards are looking very good. The fungicides and pesticides we have been using are all environmentally-friendly and include the likes of natural predators such as ladybirds,” he shares.

We also catch up with winemaker Anthony De Jager, who details the current goings-on in the winery.

“We are currently getting ready to hand pick the first grapes of the season – whole bunch-pressed Viognier for the Fairview Brut. We will then be taking in some early Pinotage for the La Capra Pinotage Rosé. Right now we are preparing the cellar for harvest – washing tanks, training harvest interns and the like. We also have teams out sampling all the vineyards,” he says.

We will be catching up with Donald and Anthony again soon for a detailed harvest report.