Capespan is warning that a cool South African winter could mean a delay to the beginning of the grape season. "The winter has been very cool and it is only just starting to warm up now," said Capespan's Martin Dunnett. "Although the cool temperatures have been good for dormancy, it affects the timing of the fruit. We could therefore see a later start from the Orange River area." But additional plantings will ensure that there are sufficient volumes for the pre-Christmas market, Capespan advises. "More production in some of the earlier growing regions and increased plantings should mean a similar situation to last year," said Dunnett.

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