South African winegrowers need to prepare for the greater likelihood of climatic extremes and become more adaptable to drought conditions, stated multinational brewing and beverage company Distell grape and wine supply GM Erhard Wolf this month.

He was commenting on the 2016 wine grape harvest, which was one of "the hottest, driest and most difficult to plan but also surprisingly good in terms of quality, judging by the season's young wines, with alcohols at very acceptable levels".

Wolf said yields were significantly down on average as a result of the drought preceding the harvest, although, not all areas had been equally affected. "The coastal region yields were down by about 20%, although, within the area as a whole, there were some instances of volumes being as much as 70% lower, particularly where dry-farmed vines were concerned. 

“However, yields from other areas were on par with normal [yields], such as Durbanville, and . . . the intake from the Klein Karoo and sections of the Robertson region, where good rains had been experienced, [was] up by about 8% on average.”

Despite the drought, quality was mainly excellent, Wolf pointed out. "The later-ripening aromatic whites are showing extremely well in the cellar and the reds have delivered excellent colour and concentration of flavour. We are also very happy with alcohol levels at around 13% across the board for our red wines."

Wolf said Distell's substantial footprint across the wine growing areas of the Cape and along the Orange river with its ready access to grape and wine supplies had helped offset the drop in yields this year.  "We have a very flexible sourcing policy with the manoeuvrability to respond to various climatic outcomes.” 

He added that Distell was also fortunate in being able to find alternative sources of organically cultivated fruit to make up for the shortfall. “These grapes were all from relatively dry-climate areas but with access to water and where conditions are not generally conducive to fungal disease."

Distell had not only increased its own plantings of Mediterranean varietals, such as Tempranillo, Mourvèdre, Grenache noir, Graciano and Albarino, which could withstand drier conditions, but was also making greater use of more drought-resistant rootstocks for the mainstream varietals, such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinotage and Sauvignon blanc.

The company was also continuing to implement water saving strategies from soil to cellar through techniques such as deficit irrigation, using recycled water for the cooling towers in the cellars, applying more efficient chilling processes and rigorously following water-wise cleaning regimes.

SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE

As part of its focus on ecosustainability, Distell had also been closely involved with the first intake of students for Stellenbosch University's Master of Science degree in sustainable agriculture, in association with the Wageningen University Research Centre, in the Netherlands, and Conservation South Africa. 

A feature of the university’s work-integrated learning programme included working with Distell to find ways to reduce biodiversity loss in vineyards.

The student group that graduated at the end of last year, explored the use of indigenous cover crops in vineyards.  "The study was intended to support current biodiversity conservation efforts among winegrowers to mitigate soil erosion and find ways of optimising soil hydration levels, as well as give South Africa a unique marketing advantage in the global wine market. The insights from this project will help not only Distell but other conservation-minded producers to look at appropriate germination management techniques for potential indigenous cover crops."

Some of the species considered for the study were Falkia repens (African morning glory/oortjies), Cliffortia ferruginea (pysteelbos) and Geranium incanum (carpet geranium).

Distell continues to collaborate with its network of suppliers to find ways to enhance production and infrastructural efficiencies to ensure their viability, in the face of the ongoing climate of global economic viability.

"We look at viticultural protocols, the optimising of resources such as water and energy and the location of production sites to eliminate unnecessary transport costs," notes Wolf.

He confirmed that all Distell’s grape suppliers were now compliant with the socially sustainable programme run by the Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trade Association.

Distell accounts for slightly less than one-third of South Africa’s wine, offering a portfolio ranging from Alto, Nederburg, Zonnebloem and Durbanville Hills to 4th Street, Two Oceans, Drostdy Hof and Autumn Crackling, amongst others.