When are grapes harvested: everything you need to know

The grape harvest is one of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year in the wine sector and, despite the surprise of many, this process does not only involve picking the grapes, but refers to a complete cultural, agricultural, and oenological process that marks the beginning of the transformation of the fruit into wine. 

In this article, Bodegas Nodus goes into detail about everything you need to know: what the grape harvest is, when are grapes harvested, and where it takes place. Want to know more? Keep reading!

What is the grape harvest?

The word vendimia comes from the Latin vindemia, composed of vinum (wine) and demere (to cut), and refers to the action of collecting grape clusters from the vine when they reach their optimum point of ripeness.

As we mentioned earlier, the harvest process does not only consist of cutting the grapes, but also requires other key tasks such as destemming, which refers to the separation of the stems, crushing, and fermentation, thus giving rise to wine. 

In this way, the harvest symbolizes the culmination of a year’s work in the vineyard.

How are grapes harvested?

Going into detail, the way in which grapes are harvested has a direct impact on both the quality of the wine and production costs. Throughout history, harvesting has evolved from entirely artisanal practices to highly mechanized systems. 

Today, many wineries combine tradition and innovation to decide on the most appropriate method depending on the grape variety, the type of wine we want to produce, and the characteristics of the vineyard:

Manual harvesting

On the one hand, manual harvesting is the most traditional and artisanal method of grape harvesting. It consists of cutting the bunches one by one with the help of special scissors or knives, carefully placing them in boxes or baskets to prevent the fruit from being damaged during transport to the winery.

Although this system requires greater physical effort and more labor, it offers several advantages:

• Quality selection: harvesters can choose healthy bunches and discard those affected by pests, diseases, or overripeness.
• Less damage to the grapes: careful handling reduces the risk of breakage, premature fermentation, or loss of juice.
• Premium wines: this is the preferred method for producing high-end wines, sparkling wines, and crianzas, where fruit quality is a priority.
• Harvesting under special conditions: it allows harvesting on plots with uneven terrain or steep slopes, where machines cannot access.

Mechanical harvesting 

Mechanical harvesting, on the other hand, is carried out using harvesting machines that shake the vines to detach the bunches of grapes and collect them quickly and efficiently. This system, which began to gain popularity in the 1960s, has revolutionized modern viticulture by reducing costs and harvesting times, bringing the following advantages to wineries:

• Speed and efficiency: a harvesting machine can harvest in a few hours what a team of workers would take several days to collect.
• Cost reduction: as it requires less labor, it is more economical, which is essential in large vineyards.
• Accessible in trellised vineyards: it works best on plots with aligned rows and gently sloping terrain.
• Night harvesting: many wineries use mechanical harvesting at night, when temperatures are lower, to avoid unwanted fermentation during transport.

When are grapes harvested?

In terms of dates, determining when the harvest begins is not a simple or uniform task, as this decision is influenced by multiple factors that vary each year and in each region. Thus, the exact start date is decided after closely monitoring the ripening of the grapes, which will determine the style and quality of the resulting wine.

Factors that determine when are grapes harvested

As we mentioned, there are several elements that play a fundamental role in determining the exact moment to start the harvest. The most relevant are:

Geographical area

Firstly, the location of the vineyard is key. In the northern hemisphere, the harvest usually takes place between August and October, while in the southern hemisphere it takes place between February and April. This is due to the natural cycle of the vine in each season.

Annual climate

Secondly, weather conditions also have a direct influence on the ripening of the grapes:

A hot, dry summer will bring the harvest forward, accelerating the process of sugar accumulation. On the other hand, a year with mild temperatures and frequent rainfall will delay the harvest, as ripening is slower. In addition, phenomena such as storms or hail can force the harvest to be brought forward to avoid quality losses.

Grape variety

On the other hand, grape variety is another decisive factor in determining when to start harvesting, as not all grapes reach maturity at the same time. 

White grapes, such as Verdejo or Albariño, are usually harvested earlier to preserve their characteristic freshness, natural acidity, and aromatic intensity. Red grapes, on the other hand, including Tempranillo, Garnacha, and Mencía, require a longer ripening period to achieve greater concentration of color, tannins, and aromas, qualities that are essential for producing structured wines with aging potential.

Desired wine style

Finally, the desired wine style is another determining factor when setting the harvest date, as the time of harvest will directly influence the organoleptic characteristics of the product. 

In the case of young, fresh, and light wines, priority is given to harvesting grapes with a higher level of acidity, which will help to ensure liveliness and freshness on the palate. On the other hand, for the production of aged wines, it is necessary to wait until the grapes reach a more complete ripeness, with a higher concentration of sugars and phenolic compounds, which are key to obtaining wines with body, structure, and the ability to age in barrels and bottles.

Where is the grape harvest celebrated?

When asked where the grape harvest is celebrated, the truth is that it is a global event that transcends the merely agricultural to become a cultural and social manifestation in many countries. 

Each wine-producing region establishes its own calendars based on climate, varieties, and production methods, which can vary significantly even within the same territory. In addition to the more technical aspects of the harvest, many areas have turned this time of year into a celebration, promoting harvest traditions and festivals that attract both locals and visitors:

• Spain: regions such as Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Priorat, Rías Baixas, Utiel-Requena, and Jerez celebrate the grape harvest with great cultural significance.
• France and Italy: home to some of the world’s most prestigious harvests, between August and September.
• Germany: can extend into November due to colder climates.
• Chile and Argentina: their harvest is celebrated in March and April, and is also a cause for major national festivities.
• Australia: the harvest takes place between February and May.

Without a doubt, the grape harvest represents a key moment in the beginning of wine production, and faithfully reflects the identity of each region, including its soils, climate, and environment. In addition, and no less importantly, it is also an economic and cultural driver in wine-producing areas, generating employment, tourism, and wine tourism opportunities, while consolidating traditions that are passed down from generation to generation.

At Bodegas Nodus, we celebrate the grape harvest every year, not only from a technical and product perspective, but also as a festival that brings together tradition, learning, and enjoyment. During this time, anyone interested has the opportunity to stroll through our vineyards at Finca El Renegado, participate in the manual harvest, and experience the thrill of picking grapes directly from the vine. 

During the experience, we also take the opportunity to offer you a guided tour of the winery to discover the process of making our wines, followed by tastings that allow you to appreciate the aromas and flavors of each bottle. In addition, we also enjoy typical regional lunches, meals in our 8 Encinas gastro-wine lounge, and chill-out areas with live music and cava toasts. Even the little ones can get involved in picking grapes and tasting must, making the harvest a family-friendly, educational, and cultural event!

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