A Night Harvest Like No Other

In the Robertson Valley, while most of the world is soundly asleep, our vineyards come alive under the glittering glow of headlamps and a buzz of activity. This is the Graham Beck night harvest, a practice we have refined over the past five years and that has become a cornerstone of our Cap Classique craft.

Harvesting grapes at night isn’t just tradition—it’s a science-backed method that preserves the crisp acidity, delicate aromas, and pure fruit expression key for world-class sparkling wine production.

Why Harvest Grapes at Night?

The best time to harvest grapes isn’t under the midday sun—it’s during the cool of night. Temperature control plays a crucial role in how night harvesting improves wine quality, ensuring that our Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier grapes arrive at the cellar between 12-16°C, rather than the 30°C+ daytime temperatures that can accelerate respiration and acidity loss.

"The extra hang time this season meant we had fruit of exceptional depth, and the Graham Beck night harvest allowed us to lock in the purity and precision that define our style," says Pierre De Klerk, Cellar Master.

The Benefits of Night Harvesting for Sparkling Wine

By harvesting grapes for sparkling wine before dawn, we:

Preserve acidity: Cooler temperatures prevent respiration, maintaining the sugar and acidity balance essential for structured Cap Classique.

Enhance aromatics: Delicate floral and citrus notes remain intact, ensuring expressive base wines.

Prevent oxidation: Night harvesting slows fermentation, reducing the risk of spoilage and oxidation.

Support sustainable wine harvesting methods: Cooler fruit requires less energy for refrigeration, particularly during cold fermentation for sparkling wine.

"Every decision we make is about pushing the boundaries of what’s possible," says Pieter Ferreira, Chief Operating Officer. "Night harvesting isn’t just about quality—it’s about ensuring that every bottle of Graham Beck Cap Classique is the finest expression of our craft."
 

The Science Behind Night Harvesting in Winemaking
This year’s South African wine harvest challenged us to work in harmony with nature. The wine harvest season in South Africa saw fluctuating conditions, but our cool climate grape harvesting approach ensured optimal results.

Our grape harvest process begins with pre-dawn field assessments. Our viticulture team measures wine grape ripeness and sugar levels, cross-checking data with weather forecasts and historical records. This precision-based decision-making is how Graham Beck ensures quality in every bottle of bubbly.

Hand-Harvested vs. Machine-Harvested Grapes
For our Cap Classique harvest, we only use hand-harvested grapes, ensuring that only the finest fruit makes it to the press. While mechanical harvesting is efficient, the human touch allows for precise selection and careful handling, essential for whole-bunch pressing—a key step in our winemaking.

By harvesting intact clusters, we minimise stem breakage and prevent unwanted material from entering the press, preserving the purity and finesse that define Graham Beck Cap Classique.

Harvest Conditions for Premium Sparkling Wine
The limestone-rich soils of Robertson Valley, combined with significant day-night temperature variations, create conditions similar to Champagne. By integrating sustainable wine harvesting methods like night harvest wine techniques, we amplify these natural advantages.

Beyond quality, harvesting grapes at night supports better working conditions for our teams and lowers our carbon footprint by reducing energy-intensive cooling requirements.

A Landmark Vintage in the Making
While the Robertson region experienced dry and windy conditions leading into summer, the House’s focus on sustainable viticulture and precise irrigation ensured that the vineyards thrived, producing fruit of remarkable concentration and balance. As a result, the 2025 harvest delivered not only outstanding quality but also a 22% increase in estate yield compared to 2024.

Does Night Harvesting Make Better Wine? Absolutely.

What Is the Benefit of Harvesting Grapes at Night?

Precision. Purity. Balance

These are the hallmarks of Graham Beck Cap Classique. After all, there may be a million bubbles in a glass of Cap Classique, but there is only one House of Graham Beck.