Catalan Winery Begins Earliest-Ever Night Grape Harvest Amid Record Heat
By Horaci Garcia
Record-Breaking Night Harvest in Catalonia
EL BEDORC, Spain, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Wearing headlamps and equipped with secateurs, workers at a winery northwest of Barcelona light up the vineyards before dawn and start picking grapes at 3 a.m., as the Catalonia region marks its earliest grape harvest on record due to the scorching summer heat.
Early Harvest at Gramona Winery
At Gramona, a winery in the Anoia area, labourers have begun the harvest several weeks ahead of the traditional August dates.
Impact of Extreme Heatwaves
Following back-to-back heatwaves and temperatures well above the average in Europe, businesses and institutions across the continent are trying to adapt to climate change.
Challenges for Workers and Vines
The heat was very stressful for several people, even causing medical issues for some of them, said Roc Gramona, the winery's technical director.
"We had to take a decision because these 35 or 45 degrees Celsius (95 - 113 degrees Fahrenheit) were too strong for them," he said. The heat was also stressful for the plants and caused grapes to ripen much faster, Gramona added.
"I think we won't go back to the daylight harvest and we will keep on picking at night."
Temperature Records and Adaptation
According to the Reuters Climate Monitor, average temperatures in Barcelona during July were 5.8 C above the historic norm from 1961-1990.
Benefits of Night Harvesting
Starting before dawn allows crews to work in cooler temperatures and helps ensure the grapes arrive at the winery in optimal condition, said David Altes, one of the labourers.
Harvest Details and Varieties
Gramona began this year's harvest on July 22, marking the earliest harvest ever recorded in Catalonia. The varieties currently being harvested are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, both used in the production of sparkling wines.
(Reporting by Horaci Garcia; Writing by Javi West Larrañaga; Editing by Lincoln Feast)
