Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

South African growers report ‘exceptional’ quality harvest for 2025

Published: 08 May, 2025

The trade body South Africa Wine has shared details of what it characterises as an ‘exceptional harvest’ for wine estates in the country.

South Africa celebrates vintage of 'exceptional freshness' as harvest gets underway

Published: 19 March, 2025

In stark contrast to the drought-ravaged vintages of previous years, South African producers are optimistic that 2025 will deliver wines of “exceptional fruit expression and freshness”, with winemakers and viticulturists reporting “outstanding quality across the board”.

Unpredictable weather leads to mixed results for Spanish harvest

Published: 28 January, 2025

The Spanish Ministry of Farming, Food and Fisheries estimates at end of October 2024, the final grape harvest for 2024 totalled approximately 36 mhls of wine and grape must. Unpredictable weather including high rainfall in some areas and drought in others has led to a challenging harvest for growers in the country.

Five minutes with Talal Madi, Ixsir

Published: 03 December, 2024

Over a preview of Ixsir’s 2024 vintage, the Lebanese winery’s CEO shares some insights with James Bayley.

California set for ‘memorable vintage’ following fast-paced growing season and harvest

Published: 28 November, 2024

The 2024 California harvest got off to an early start in many regions following a rainy winter, a cool spring and a warm summer during a year which has left a lasting impression on vintners, the California Wine Institute said.

Loire Valley producers reeling from 'unprecedented climatic conditions' in 2024

Published: 20 November, 2024

Vintage 2024 in the Loire Valley has been described as "one of the most trying years in recent decades” for growers in north-western France.

Rhône Valley producers optimistic despite 'Homeric vintage' in 2024

Published: 18 November, 2024

As the dust settles on another roller coaster vintage, winemakers across the Rhône Valley are nonetheless confident that their wines will showcase “fruit, tension and balance” - as much for white wines as for reds and rosés.

Fladgate Partnership releases 2024 harvest report

Published: 21 October, 2024

In the wake of an overall cool vintage, expectations remain high in the Douro Valley, with initial reports suggesting that year's crop will showcase “vibrant fruit, fine tannins, and remarkable acidity”.

Ixsir defies the odds to complete harvest

Published: 18 October, 2024

Lebanese winery Ixsir has managed to complete another successful harvest despite devastating socio-economic challenges in the region, including daily bombings in areas such as the Bekaa valley and a deepening crisis in the conflict with Israel.

South Africa hopeful of recovery after ‘challenging’ 2024 harvest

Published: 15 October, 2024

After a difficult 2024 season, which was characterised by floods, frost and strong winds, South African wine producers are optimistic about the 2025 harvest.

Lower harvest volume forecast for Austria

Published: 10 September, 2024

Austria has declared a 'very early vintage' for 2024, with volumes expected to be considerably lower than the recent average.

WineGB looks back on ‘miracle’ harvest

Published: 21 December, 2023

WineGB is celebrating what it believes will be Great Britain’s largest-ever grape harvest as freshly collected data reveals 2023 is set to produce a record-breaking estimated 20 million bottles – twice the size of Britain’s previous record year in 2018.

Ribera harvest battles ‘pronounced and changing climate’

Published: 06 December, 2023

Ribera del Duero is celebrating a bigger than expected harvest, with this year’s crop up by 12% and the grapes achieving optimal levels of ripeness despite being one of the ‘most complex harvests to date’.

Gusbourne follows English wine boom with record harvest

Published: 23 October, 2023

English sparkling and fine wine producer, Gusbourne, has followed in the footsteps of several other domestic wineries in 2023, by announcing a record-breaking harvest.

Nyetimber announces biggest ever harvest

Published: 29 September, 2023

English sparkling pioneer Nyetimber has revealed that harvest 2023 will be its biggest ever, with 350ha of vines to be harvested, up almost 8% on last year.

Spain's vintage 2022: Challenges across the board

Published: 11 January, 2023

Wines from Spain has released its annual harvest report for the 2022 vintage in Spain.

2022 harvest puts Sogevinus ‘to the test’

Published: 28 November, 2022

Leading Port and still wine producer Sogevinus is celebrating making its way through a "very difficult and challenging harvest", which was able to overcome significant viticultural challenges, including heat intensity and the lack of rainfall, particularly when it came to lower altitude vines.

Extreme summer shrinks Cava harvest in 2022

Published: 19 October, 2022

Cava's regulatory council has issued a statement about the difficult growing season this year, characterised by “continuous and above-average high temperatures, along with successive heat waves in late spring and early summer.”