Suitably dry conditions and healthy vineyards have lead to Oranjerivier Wine Cellars predicting a marked increase in volumes for this year’s harvest over the relatively low-yield 2009 season. Some 145 000 tons of grapes are expected to be harvested, compared to last year’s figure of 106 000 tons.

Oranjerivier Wine Cellars receives grapes at its five wineries in Upington, Kakamas, Keimoes, Grootdrink and Groblershoop, as well as it grape juice plant on Kanoneiland.

Over 40% of the harvest is used for the making of fine wine for Oranjerivier’s own brands and for select clients, while the balance if used for the production of fresh grape juice from which grape concentrate is made by Oranjerivier, as well as rebate and distillation wine.

According to Henning Burger, Oranjerivier Wine Cellars viticulturalist, Chenin Blanc and Colombard still make up the bulk of the harvest.

“This year we are seeing excellent quality in these two varieties, with acid and pH levels being in harmony, which will lead to gorgeously fruity white wines,” says Burger. “This being a summer-rainfall area, we obviously hope that the rain will stay away when the harvest hits full kilter later this month, but we are glad that quality and volume appear to be consistently good.”

Burger says that the red varieties such as Pinotage, Cabernet  Sauvignon and Shiraz are also showing a lot of potential. “Like the white grapes, things are in balance in these vineyards, and the vineyards are exceedingly healthy. Oranjerivier is known for its white wines, but the viticultural and wine-making teams are putting in a lot of time in effort towards establishing this area as a red wine region,” says Burger. “It is obviously not going to happen overnight, but the tangible improvement in red wine quality over the past few years bodes well for our commitment to reaching this objective.”

Oranjerivier has also done experimental plantings of lesser traditional varieties such as Petit Verdot and Tannat.

“The Petit Verdot has been something of a revelation,” says Burger. “From the start this grape has taken to the Northern Cape conditions, producing full-bodied, expressive wines that we are using to bulk-out some of our reds – with incredible results.”

The Oranjerivier region has also seen vigorous plantings of Chardonnay. “We expected this grape to do well here, as it is not shy of heat,” says Burger. “Our aim is now to produce a Chardonnay that expresses our unique terroir in the wine, which is a wonderful challenge as there are not many grape varieties that reflect terroir more honestly than Chardonnay.”

According to Koos Visser, Marketing Manager of Oranjerivier Wine Cellars, a commitment to quality in the vineyards and the introduction of new varieties is busy changing the public and general wine industry’s perception of the Oranjerivier region.

“Recent market research has shown a great appreciation among the public for the freshness and approachability of our wines, a feature we are planning to complement through the introduction of wines with a slightly greater amount of complexity,” says Visser. “Quality is non-negotiable, and in this regard we will always plan to over-deliver at the price points we offer the market. This, and our unique wine-style bodes for a promising future for our reputation as one of South Africa’s foremost wine regions.”