Winter rains have replenished the wineries' water reserves and kept the vines in good condition, leading to this anticipated increase. The technical manager of DO Empordà, Pau Albó, is optimistic about the quantity and quality of the grapes, which he describes as "excellent and non-negotiable".
Despite the good news, recent heatwaves have forced some wineries to start harvesting up to a month earlier than usual. Albó hopes that upcoming rains will ensure a good harvest for the later grape varieties, as it hasn't rained for three months and the plants are beginning to suffer.
The bulk of the production, mainly Garnacha and Carignan, will be harvested in the coming weeks, with the campaign expected to conclude in late October or early November. The early start to the campaign is becoming increasingly common, not only due to heatwaves but also to changing consumer habits, which seek "fresher" wines.
The Terra Remota winery, located in Sant Climent Sescebes, began its harvest on August 10th, a month earlier than 21 years ago when the owners first settled on the Alt Empordà estate. Owner Marc Bournazeau highlights that today's consumers seek "fresher and more palatable" wines, which influences the harvest process and the selection of varieties and alcohol levels.
This winery, producing around 150,000 bottles annually, has almost its entire production sold. Bournazeau emphasizes the "excellent" quality of Empordà wine, influenced by the region's granite soil which allows for a lower pH.
The intense heatwaves have not affected the grape quality, only the harvest timing. Albó explains that high temperatures cause the plant to "stop working," reducing acidity but maintaining alcohol levels. The DO also complains about game animals, such as wild boars and roe deer, damaging grapes in more isolated plots or those near wooded areas.
