The harvest has started earlier in some vineyards compared to previous years due to high temperatures, while the lack of rain and storms over recent months has helped keep the grapes in excellent condition.
The 2026 harvest continues to progress across the Almansa Designation of Origin and, so far, the outlook is very positive. The grapes are arriving at the wineries in excellent condition, and everything points towards a vintage with very promising prospects in terms of quality.
This year, the harvest has once again started early. White grape varieties were the first to be picked, in some cases during the final days of August, and we are now fully immersed in the harvest of the red varieties.
This shift towards earlier harvest dates is a trend that our wineries have been observing for several years. If we look back ten or twelve years, the harvest generally began later than it does today. Compared with the 2025 vintage, however, this year’s dates are quite similar.
Weather conditions over recent months have played an important role in the development of this year’s harvest. During spring, we received rainfall that was beneficial for the vineyards after a period marked by drought. This water supported healthy vine development and helped the vineyards cope better with the months that followed.
The summer, however, has been particularly dry and hot. High temperatures accelerated ripening in many vineyards, meaning that some varieties reached the optimum point for harvesting earlier than usual.
Each vineyard follows its own pace
Talking about an earlier harvest does not mean that the entire production area progresses at the same time.
Each vineyard follows its own schedule, and several factors influence the ripening of the grapes. The variety, the location of the vineyard and, especially, altitude all create differences between the various areas within DO Almansa.
At the moment, for example, there are areas where the Garnacha Tintorera harvest is in full swing, while vineyards located at higher altitudes have remained on the vine for longer and are beginning to be harvested slightly later.
This is the case in areas such as Higueruela, where some vineyards are only now beginning their harvest.
As a result, while some plots have already completed harvesting, others are currently at their busiest, and some will still need to wait a little longer.
The wineries themselves monitor each vineyard and decide when the best time has arrived to begin harvesting, with the aim of ensuring that the grapes reach the winery in the best possible condition.
Grapes in exceptionally good condition
If there is one thing that stands out about this year’s harvest, it is the excellent condition of the grapes.
The dry summer has helped reduce the risk of vineyard diseases and pests. In addition, there have been no major storms during the final weeks of ripening, which has also worked in favour of the crop.
Heavy rainfall, hail or excessive humidity just before harvest can affect the condition of the grapes. This year, these weather events have not had a significant impact, allowing the fruit to complete its ripening process and arrive at the wineries in very good condition.
Initial assessments from our wineries agree on this point: the grapes are extremely healthy and show very promising prospects in terms of quality.
Some vineyards are recording lower yields, partly due to poor fruit set during the vine’s growing cycle, but the grapes being harvested are showing very good quality and excellent overall condition.
Garnacha Tintorera takes centre stage
After the first part of the harvest was mainly focused on white grape varieties, red varieties are now taking over.
And among them, of course, is our Garnacha Tintorera, one of the most characteristic varieties of DO Almansa and currently taking centre stage in many vineyards across our production area.
Harvesting is already progressing in different parts of the Designation of Origin, although, as with the other varieties, each vineyard continues to follow its own pace.
In the coming days, it will also be time for Monastrell, one of the latest-ripening varieties and the grape that, as happens every year, will practically bring the harvest season in our area to a close.
Monastrell is also an important variety for DO Almansa, where it finds particularly suitable conditions to express its character and become part of wines with an identity deeply connected to our territory.
One of the most important moments of the year
The harvest is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year for our wineries and winegrowers, following months of work and care in the vineyards. From this harvest will come the wines of the next vintage, carrying the name of DO Almansa to markets both in Spain and around the world.
There is still plenty of work ahead, both in the vineyards and later in the winery, but we hope the harvest continues as it has begun: with healthy grapes and excellent quality.
At the Almansa Designation of Origin, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank our wineries, winegrowers and everyone involved for the tremendous work they are carrying out throughout the harvest. We wish them a very successful season for everything that still lies ahead, both in the vineyards and during the coming months of work in the winery.
