Muratie – Harvest report 2012

The Muratie Cellar

We recently received a full harvest report from Francois Conradie, winemaker of Muratie wines in Stellenbsoch. Overall the quality of the harvest for 2012 looks to be very promising!

“The harvest was looking about two weeks later than normal but with a heatwave in middle January it actually started the same time as 2011, which was end of January with the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay destined for bubbly.  The whites were scattered over February together with the Pinot Noir.  The bulk of the reds were harvested in March with the fortifieds coming in beginning of March.  Overall it was an extremely long harvest with only the Pinot Noir having felt the effect of the early heatwave.  Quantity wise the whites were down about 10 – 15% on 2011 and the reds were on par and in some instances about 5 – 10% more. 

The rest of Stellenbosch had a 10 – 15% lower yield than 2011 so we were grateful that the practices done in the vineyards throughout the growing season paid off.  There was rain to the latter part of March which made it difficult to get the later cultivars like Cabernet Sauvignon full ripe without waiting too long. 

We were lucky that we picked our last grapes before the heavy rains came.  For most people around Stellenbosch the rain kept them waiting for about two weeks longer,  however, we welcomed the rain because it was very dry and we were getting ready to plant our cover crops. 

Looking at the general quality of the 2012 harvest we are very happy and think it will turn out to be a cracker!”

Muratie is a serious and respected player in the Bordeaux blend, Shiraz, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir stakes. Historically, Muratie has been known for being the first producer of Pinot Noir as well as fine ports.

To see the Muratie range of wines, go to our store

Muratie Wine Team – Rijk Melck (MD), Franscois Conradie (winemaker) and Simon Zeeman (assistant winemaker)