Global warming continues to reshape Spain’s agricultural landscape, especially in the world’s leading wine nation. Harvests are arriving earlier, shifting from September toward August. This pattern underscores a broader climate-driven change in Spain’s viticulture and harvest timing.
Last season featured a prolonged drought and an exceptionally hot summer, with daytime temperatures around 40 degrees Celsius or higher. These conditions pushed wineries and cooperatives to start earlier, with some regions like Jerez delaying activity until July—an unusual and unprecedented occurrence.
The shift was so notable that Fernando Ezquerro, president of the wine industry council, described the moment as an exception beginning in September. This early maturing has been observed in many fruit varieties, and there is potential for extending this trend to additional varieties in the future.
Experts explain that high temperatures accelerate ripening. Climate change continues to be cited as a growing factor in earlier harvests. José Luis Benítez, managing director of the Spanish Wine Federation (FEV), noted a generalized improvement in harvest dates in recent years. He emphasized that this is a trend indicating earlier picking across the sector, while acknowledging some years still skew late due to weather variability.
On the flip side, there are years when harvest timing moves in the opposite direction. Some vintners point to a recent period of wet, late harvests, highlighting the significant variability caused by changing climate patterns. Joaquín Biscayan, wine manager at COAG, described climate change as bringing more variability, with very early years followed by much later years.
Harvest is now underway across most of Spain
Oldest varieties began their journey across the country, including international whites such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and red varieties like Syrah and Merlot, along with Tempranillo in both white and red forms. The movement also touches protected designations of origin such as Montilla-Moriles, Jerez, Cava, Rioja, and La Mancha.
In the Jerez region, for example, the harvest was postponed to July, a development many observers had not anticipated. César Saldaña, head of the Regulatory Council for Designations of Origin Jerez-Xérès-Sherry-Manzanilla-Sanlúcar de Barrameda, attributes the shift to climate change and global warming.
There is still room for later varieties, such as Vizcaíno, Blanca Airén, or Tinta de Monastrell, according to COAG, but if temperatures stay high, the harvest could advance another 10 to 15 days, he cautions.
Quality remains strong, with lower yields
Extreme heat can shorten the vine’s vegetative cycle, limiting grape growth and resulting in smaller clusters, according to José Ugarrio of the Asaja agricultural association. Yet the moisture shortfall helps reduce disease pressure, especially mold and powdery mildew, contributing to favorable fruit health.
Ugarrio notes that early indicators for the campaign point to overall output trending below recent years. He estimates an average yield below 42 million hectoliters over the last six seasons, roughly 10 to 15 percent below last year’s 39.9 million hectoliters. The Spanish Wine Federation also notes that Spain remains a leading wine producer by volume and a major exporter, with roughly 970,000 hectares under vine, continuing its strong position in the global wine market.
At the same time, the sector remains vigilant about ongoing climate shifts and their long-term implications for harvest planning and regional wine profiles. For stakeholders, this means monitoring weather patterns closely and adapting vineyard practices to sustain both quality and resilience. [Cita: FEVE; COAG; Regulatory Council Jerez]
Environment and agricultural authorities continue to assess the evolving impact of climate change on viticulture, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies across the industry.