December in the Cape Winelands

December matters because it is the month when ripening begins in earnest. The slow accumulation of sugar and flavour compounds in the berries — driven by the long, warm Cape summer days — is the process that will ultimately make the grapes wine. The first signs of veraison at month's end are the vineyard's signal that the cycle is coming full circle: the pruning of winter is beginning to bear fruit. December is also when the cellar prepares itself, emptying tanks and servicing equipment for the harvest that is now only weeks away.

In December, the grapes grow larger and the bunches become fuller. The grape berries are gradually accumulating sugar and developing flavour compounds — the slow, sun-driven process that will eventually make them wine. The green berries of November are now recognisable as developing grapes, and the vine's energy is directed towards ripening the fruit rather than growing the canopy. Towards the end of the month, some early varieties may begin showing the first signs of veraison — the same process of softening and colour change that marks the start of ripening in January. In red varieties, the first berries may begin to show a blush of purple; in white varieties, the berries may begin to soften and turn from bright green to a more golden hue. These early signs of veraison in December are a reminder that the harvest is approaching — the cycle that began with pruning in winter is coming full circle.

In the cellar, December is a period of preparation. Winemakers are preparing for the approaching harvest — the equipment and facilities that will be needed in January and February are cleaned, checked and prepared. Tanks are emptied of the previous vintage's wines (which have been bottled or moved to other maturation vessels), hoses, pumps, presses and destemmers are serviced, and the cellar is readied for the intense activity that is coming. It is a month of anticipation and logistics — the calm before the storm of harvest. Some winemakers may also be making final assessments of the developing crop in the vineyards, estimating yields and planning the harvest schedule.

December brings warm to hot summer conditions. The weather is generally sunny, and the days are long — the Cape summer light extends well into the evening, making for memorable sunset experiences. Rainfall is uncommon. The combination of heat and long days is what drives the sugar accumulation in the grapes, and the warm, dry conditions are part of what makes the Cape such a reliable wine-growing region. The long summer evenings are one of the great pleasures of a December visit.

December offers beautiful summer vineyard scenery and a lively festive-season atmosphere. Summer wine festivals, where available, add a celebratory energy to the month. Outdoor wine experiences — tastings in gardens, on terraces and among the vines — take full advantage of the warm weather and long evenings. Sunset tastings are a particular highlight, as the long summer evenings allow for leisurely tastings as the sun drops behind the mountains. Wine estate visits in December have a festive, celebratory quality that reflects both the season and the approaching harvest. It is also worth noting that December is a popular month for visitors, so booking ahead is advisable.

The Cape is at its most celebratory — long, light evenings, outdoor tastings as the sun drops behind the mountains, and the sense that the year's best months have arrived. For visitors who want to experience the Winelands at their most vibrant and social, and who want to see the vineyards in full summer abundance just before the harvest begins, December is a magical time to visit.