Hanging Tough: Local Wine Cultivars Adapt To Climate Change

South Africa’s road to success in the cultivation of vines, and more specifically the wine industry, has been paved with many stones since the first bottle of wine was produced by Jan van Riebeeck on 2 February 1659.

- Carin Venter

Today, just like the Big Five, the country’s R47 billion-a-year wine industry boasts the Big Six cultivars: Pinotage (originating from South Africa), Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.

In 2019, the country dropped from being the eighth biggest producer of wine in the world to ninth place, ranking seventh on the list of top ten wine- producing countries. But while it faces a number of major challenges, the buoyant wine industry in South Africa continues to show resilience and is taking bold steps locally and on the global stage.

Climate change in the vineyard

Climate is considered to be the most important factor determining the phenology, or life cycle, of grapevines. The effect of climate change on viticulture has been noted since the 1990s and not only does it interfere with the characteristics of the grape harvest, but it can lower yields and put producers cultivating sensitive crops in a very vulnerable position.

So where does South Africa’s viticulture stand in respect of changes aimed at remaining viable? FarmBiz spoke to Jan Boland Coetzee, former Springbok rugby player and wine-making legend who earlier this year was awarded the 1659 Medal of Honour for his remarkable role in the country’s wine-making industry.

Coetzee believes that “where the vines feel at home, it will show off its best – the true value of the land”. He is currently cellar master, viticulturist, and co-proprietor of the Vriesenhof Vineyards in Stellenbosch. He concurs that while some grapevine varieties can be adapted to climate change, it will invariably have an effect on the grape and wine quality.