Brunello di Montalcino 2026 harvest to begin early

The 2026 grape harvest for Brunello di Montalcino is expected to begin on Monday, September 7, approximately one week earlier than the previous year. Despite a prolonged period of high temperatures starting in mid-June, the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino reports that the vineyards remain in excellent health with no significant disease issues.

Giacomo Bartolommei, president of the Consortium, noted that while the heat presented challenges during the initial phase, regular rainfall helped mitigate the effects. The early veraison observed in mid-July has led to an accelerated maturation process.

While grape quality is expected to be very high, production volumes are projected to be in line with or slightly lower than the previous year. The Consortium continues to follow a policy of reducing yields to maintain the high positioning and economic sustainability of the denomination amidst a shifting global market.