The morning mist lingers over Franschhoek’s vineyards as dawn breaks. A single, dewy grape catches the first light, moments before it’s plucked and tasted—an act that blends instinct with decades of experience. For winemaker Alicia Rechner, celebrating her 30th harvest, each vintage still brings new lessons, surprises, and the simple joy of creating something extraordinary.

A Harvest Marked by Rhythm and Romance

This year’s harvest began on January 26th, shaped by a cool ripening period and a short, focused picking season ending on March 17th. By mid-February, the vineyards hummed with the snip of secateurs and the steady movement of lug boxes. The excitement built toward Alicia’s favourite moment—the arrival of the Smuggled Vines Chardonnay, which fittingly landed in the cellar on Valentine’s Day.

Despite some wind-induced variability, the grapes delivered exceptional quality, with fresh acidity and vibrant flavours promising a standout vintage.

Creativity in the Cellar

The cellar is where the magic happens, not just in the wine but in the people. Each day starts with a 7 a.m. meeting, aligning the team before the controlled chaos of harvest unfolds. Between monitoring fermentations and fine-tuning the process, unexpected joys emerge—like the ink sketches of a cellar hand-turned-artist, adding a touch of creativity beyond the wine.

This year also brought exciting innovations: Alicia introduced new fermentation vessels, from 600L oak barrels with rolling stands to a 500L ceramic fermenter from Italy. These additions align with Backsberg’s sustainability ethos, extending the lifespan of winemaking tools while enhancing complexity in the wines.

From Grape to Glass

As the wines settle into their respective vessels, Backsberg’s terroir-driven philosophy comes to life. The bold Patriarch Cabernet Franc from Stellenbosch’s Helderberg, the high-altitude elegance of Smuggled Vines Chardonnay, and the rich Plum Valley Merlot each tell their own story of place and craft.

With automation fine-tuning everything from temperature control to water use, Backsberg continues to lead in sustainability, ensuring energy is used with precision, not waste.

The Journey Continues

From that first morning grape to the final sip in your glass, the 2025 vintage embodies balance, experience, and a quiet confidence. Alicia describes it in three words: "Easy with experience."

Soon, these wines will make their way to tables, to celebrations, to quiet moments of reflection. The story of the 2025 harvest is waiting to be told—one sip at a time.

Backsberg Family Wines. Sustainably crafted since 1916.   To read a more detailed version of our 2025 Harvest Report, click here