Spain's 2026 grape harvest pushed into July amid heatwave

In Castilla‑La Mancha, some wineries began harvesting grapes in July 2026 for the first time in the region's history. The early start was attributed to unprecedented heat, with temperatures above 40 °C in May and a very hot, dry July accelerating grape ripening. Regional agriculture minister Julián Martínez Lizán linked the shift directly to climate change, while José Luis Benítez of the Spanish Wine Federation warned that harvests are being brought forward each year, reducing overall yields.

In the neighboring Extremadura area of Tierra de Barros, the 2026 harvest started in August with vines in excellent condition after favorable autumn and winter rains. However, farmer and community leader Juan Antonio Álvarez Lázaro highlighted persistent problems: low wine prices, declining consumption, export difficulties, and a chronic shortage of seasonal labor that threatens the viability of family vineyards. Both regions are confronting the combined impact of climate‑driven phenology changes and market pressures on Spain's wine sector.