| In South Africa, viticulture originated and still | | | | and the proximity of two mighty oceans - in |
| mainly takes place at a latitude of | | | | particular the Atlantic, chilled by the icy Benguela |
| 27°-34° south in an area with a | | | | current which flows northwards up the west |
| Mediterranean climate. The Western Cape is | | | | coast of Africa from Antarctica - moderates the |
| cooler than its position might suggest, with | | | | summer warmth. Cooling moisture-laden breezes |
| conditions that are ideal for growing a wide range | | | | blow in from the sea during the afternoon, and |
| of noble wine cultivars. The traditional winegrowing | | | | seasonal fog is prevalent. Adequate sunshine plays |
| areas along the coastal zone are seldom more | | | | an important role too. |
| than 50 km from the ocean and experience | | | | Macro-, Meso- and Microclimates |
| beneficial coastal conditions, especially cool sea | | | | Climate is described in viticulture on three levels, |
| breezes. The temperate climate features warm | | | | namely macroclimate, mesoclimate and |
| summers and cool winters with frost rarely a | | | | microclimate. Macroclimate is the climate of a |
| problem. | | | | region. Mesoclimate differs from the macroclimate |
| Rain falls mainly between May and August, and | | | | of the region due to differences in altitude, slope |
| diminishes in a northerly and northeasterly | | | | inclination, aspect or distance from large bodies of |
| direction, in the latter case caused by the | | | | water; this term usually describes the climate of a |
| prominent mountain ranges which follow the | | | | particular vineyard. Microclimate is the climate |
| coastline, making irrigation essential in these areas. | | | | immediately within and surrounding a plant canopy |
| Temperature is probably one of the most | | | | and can differ within a few centimetres and |
| important factors affecting the grapevine as it | | | | seconds. |
| has an effect on almost every aspect of its | | | | The Cape Doctor |
| functioning. Temperatures follow an inverse | | | | This legendary - and sometimes ferocious - |
| pattern to rainfall, increasing in a northerly direction | | | | southeasterly wind blows across the |
| and with distance from the sea. | | | | southwestern Cape during the spring and summer |
| The impressive Cape mountain ranges form a | | | | months. Living up to its name, it inhibits the |
| dramatic backdrop to one of the most beautiful | | | | development of disease in the vineyards. The |
| wine-producing areas of the world. The vineyards | | | | southeaster has a moderating influence on |
| lie on the valley sides and mountain foothills, | | | | temperature, lowering it by several degrees. It |
| benefiting from the many different mesoclimates | | | | occasionally brings rain to the most southern |
| offered by the mountainous terrain and diverse | | | | vineyards in the coastal zone and more seldom |
| terroirs. There's constant interaction between the | | | | carries moisture to the vineyards beyond the first |
| rugged peaks and multi-directional valley slopes, | | | | range of mountains. |