Stellenbosch, South Africa — Alto Wine Estate, located in the prestigious “Golden Triangle” of Stellenbosch on the slopes of the Helderberg, has concluded a highly successful 2025 harvest. The estate’s vineyards have yielded grapes with concentrated flavor and the promise of another vintage of exceptional quality.
This year’s harvest, both larger and slightly later than usual, has been marked by near-ideal weather conditions that contributed to optimal tannin ripeness. Early summer temperatures were mild, avoiding heatwaves, while cool evenings helped maintain an ideal balance of acidity. A few warmer days in early March further supported the ripening of the final clusters before they were brought to the cellar.
“We typically begin harvesting around February 13 with our Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé and finish by March 20. However, this year, the final grapes were harvested on March 28, making the overall process later than in 2024,” said the estate’s winemaker, Bertho van der Westhuizen. This delay is attributed to the larger yield in 2025, with early-ripening varieties harvested 8 to 10 days later and mid-ripening cultivars coming in 3 to 6 days later. Despite this, the estate’s harvesting timeline remains in line with long-term averages.
The 2025 harvest saw an increase in yield, giving grapes more hang-time to achieve optimal ripeness. This slower maturation has enhanced the fruit’s elegance, and early signs suggest a promising vintage. Van der Westhuizen expressed excitement about the quality of the harvest, particularly highlighting the role of young vines entering production.
“This year’s harvest benefited significantly from our young vines coming into production. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the quality they are already producing. We are excited about their future potential,” he shared.
Cabernet Franc, a key component of Alto’s blends, was among the first varieties harvested from these young blocks. Van der Westhuizen noted the impressive quality of the young Cabernet Franc, despite its earlier ripening. Looking ahead, he added, “We’re anticipating the production of 12 hectares of new, virus-free Cabernet Franc in 2026, which is a very exciting development for us.”
In 2025, Alto Wine Estate also celebrated the milestone of its 60th harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate’s most celebrated variety. The first vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon dates back to 1965, making it the oldest single varietal wine in Alto’s portfolio and a cornerstone of the estate’s legacy.
A highlight of the 2025 harvest was the collection of grapes from the highest block of Cabernet Sauvignon on the estate, located between 450 and 500 meters above sea level. This young block, planted in 2018, spans 4.5 hectares and is considered one of Alto’s prime sites for Cabernet Sauvignon. Its elevated position and proximity to False Bay provide ideal growing conditions, contributing to exceptional fruit quality. The majority of grapes from this high-altitude parcel are earmarked for Alto’s award-winning Single Varietal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, reinforcing the estate’s reputation as a benchmark producer of South African Cabernet.
In the cellar, the young wines are showing both power and finesse, with the Shiraz particularly promising. Van der Westhuizen described it as “an iron fist in a velvet glove,” noting its vibrant black pepper aromas, lavender notes, and abundant red fruit. Whole-bunch fermentation from younger blocks brings freshness, while older Shiraz vines add depth and structure, laying the foundation for the wine’s development over the next two to three years.
Alto’s flagship limited-release wine, the M.P.H.S., is made only in exceptional years from the best parcels of the harvest. Though it is still too early to make definitive conclusions, the initial signs from the 2025 Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc are highly encouraging. Van der Westhuizen is optimistic that 2025 could be a standout vintage worthy of an M.P.H.S. release.
The Alto Wine Estate continues to thrive, producing wines of exceptional quality and further solidifying its place as one of South Africa’s premier wine producers.
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