Franciacorta winemakers shift to nighttime harvests due to extreme heat

Extreme heat and low rainfall in Italy’s Franciacorta region have triggered record-early grape harvests for the production of sparkling wine. Winemakers report that maturation has accelerated significantly, with some harvests occurring up to 10 days earlier than last year and a month earlier than three decades ago.

To combat rising temperatures and protect workers from heat-related health risks, producers are shifting operations to the nighttime. The winery I Barisèi in Erbusco has implemented nighttime picking using workers equipped with specialized headlamps to illuminate the vines. Similarly, Berlucchi has begun harvesting at 4 a.m. to ensure grapes reach the presses before midday heat causes overheating or oxidation.

Beyond worker safety, the shift to nighttime harvesting offers enological advantages by keeping the fruit cooler, which helps prevent unwanted fermentation or oxidation during the initial stages of production.