Harvest 2026… first impressions
Our 2026 harvest began in Cebreros, on the 10th of August. It is one of the earliest harvests we have experienced there, representing the varied and increasing challenges we, and many other producers both within and outside of Spain, are facing year on year. Nevertheless, we consider it a privilege to continue our never-ending journey across our country´s diverse landscape and look forward to raising a glass to the 2026 vintage with you all soon.
Pegaso Viñas Viejas, Cebreros
2026 was already a difficult year, even before the wildfires arrived. A mild winter, followed by a complicated spring and an incredibly hot June and July resulted in yields that were almost 50% smaller than in previous years. The size of the grapes was also small, due to a lack of water reserves in the soil. The harvest took place between the 10th and 24th of August, ten days earlier than the average of the last few years, which were already considered early. We collected 17,500kg of grapes that presented with a light colour, medium tannin, low PH and high acidity, with double the amount of malic acid when compared with previous years. Steps were taken to ensure that there was no damage from smoke taint, and although yields were reduced, we are very happy with the results.
Molino Real, Málaga
Málaga also experienced wildfires, although they were significantly less severe than Cebreros. On the 17th of July, during yet another heatwave, a forest fire broke out in Árchez, rapidly spreading towards the border with Cómpeta. As a precaution the winery was evacuated, and once again, we consider ourselves incredibly lucky that the majority of our vineyards survived unscathed, although many olive and carob trees were unfortunately destroyed. The harvest started on the 13th of August with grapes destined to become Mountain Blanco. Although they were in good health, the heat wave at the start of August brought forward the harvest, and as a result the yield that had previously been considered abundant, was reduced to a more ´normal´ quantity. The grapes collected for our sweet wines were also healthy, although with varying ripeness levels, and the long process of ´asoleo´ (drying the grapes in the sunshine) is now underway. Harvest hasn´t yet finished and all being well, there are still plenty of kg remaining to collect…
Ladeiras do Xil, Valdeorras
2026 will be remembered as an early year, with the harvest starting almost two weeks ahead of 2025. Following on from the particularly warm and dry months of July and August, we started on the 20th of August in the Falcoeira vineyard. Unusually, the terraces located in the upper part of the vineyard, planted with red varieties, were ready to be harvested first, rather than lower terraces, close to the river, where the white grapes are grown. We were grateful when rain finally arrived at the end of August, which was welcomed by the plants and led to an increase in bunch size. The grapes entered the winery in good health and showed ripening levels ahead of those recorded last year. We hope to finish the harvest in the middle of September, dates in which during previous years, we wouldn´t even have started.
Bodega Lanzaga, Rioja
The harvest started on the 7th of September, two weeks earlier than last year. Despite the multiple heatwaves and resulting high temperatures throughout the summer and into September so far, our vines have coped well with the demanding conditions, and the quality of the grapes is high. This is predominantly thanks to the delicate work carried out in the vineyard, which allowed the soil to retain the moisture accumulated from the spring rains. As a result, the vines haven´t suffered from any hydric stress, and the vibrant green colour of their leaves, despite the extreme temperatures, is striking.
Basa blancos de Rueda
As we continue celebrating our 30th anniversary in Rueda, we started the harvest on the 1st of September with El Transistor. Just like our experience this year in other areas of Spain, this is another early harvest, almost two weeks ahead of last year. Shortly afterwards we harvested Basa, finishing on the 9th of September.
Viñedos de Matallana, Ribera del Duero
As the harvest ended in Rueda, it began in Ribera del Duero. The dry and warm summer conditions reduced any disease pressure, but the extreme temperatures have accelerated the ripening process. Consequently, yet again, we find ourselves harvesting almost ten days earlier than in 2025.
