2005 has been a challenging vintage for both red and white wines in South Africa. The dry hot summer that caused sugar levels to "hit the roof", followed on from a wetter than usual spring that resulted in fungal diseases for the grapes and low yields in the vineyards ; the harvest was markedly smaller in the Worcester/Breedekloof- and Robertson-regions - 19% and 16% lower, respectively. In Stellenbosch the production was more or less the same as 2004.

The red varieties, Pinotage, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Shiraz fared better, showing a rich, ripe character, although the alcohol tends to be quite high.