The beginning of the New Year is a special time in the Western Cape, as wineries gear up for harvest season. Whilst the official start of each farm’s harvest depends on a number of factors, including geographic location, every winery will experience the weeks of excitement, stress and fulfilment that follow the picking of the first grape. It’s the time of year when vineyards come alive with tractors and crates, when cellars are filled with the heady scent of crushed and fermenting grapes, and when the aromas of oak tell of the new wines settling down to rest in the barrel cellar.

Our hotel guests may have noticed that Steenberg Vineyards have already begun their harvest, selecting and picking the grapes that will eventually become our famous Steenberg 1682 Chardonnay bubbly. Indeed, farms all around the Western Cape have either begun harvesting, or are getting ready to do so. The energy is contagious! One of the best things about harvest season, in our opinion, is the ability for members of the public to get involved. Most farms offer exciting, interactive ways to take part in the harvest, from picking grapes in the early morning to stomping them underfoot, the old fashioned way, and even making your own wines at the end of it. There are also many harvest festivals and markets, where visitors can enjoy a day of delicious food and wine, while getting involved in some fun harvest activities.

If you’d like to add a hands-on harvest experience to your trip to Cape Town, just let us know when making your reservation. The Steenberg Hotel team will be happy to help you find the perfect harvest festival to make your Cape holiday all the more special.