06/18/2026
Inc. 1871 Vine to Vessel 2026 🍷series continues for the month of June:
N. Hemisphere:
🇺🇸California grapevines are generally in very good shape for mid-June 2026, and many regions are running ahead of a normal schedule 🍇
Current Stage of Growth:
California wine regions have moved through bloom (flowering) and are now in fruit set, where the tiny grapes have formed and clusters are visible. In Napa Valley, growers are evaluating crop loads while beginning canopy management.
Weather and Vineyard Conditions
* Winter rainfall was adequate in many areas, but a dry late winter and warm spring accelerated vine growth.
* Many vineyards report the season is 1–2 weeks ahead of last year, raising expectations for an EARLY harvest.
If summer weather remains stable:
* Early-ripening varieties could begin veraison (color change and onset of ripening) in late July.
* Harvest in some California regions may start in late August to early September, earlier than average.
🇫🇷 France- Across most French wine regions—including Burgundy, Bordeaux, Champagne, the Rhône Valley, and Loire Valley—vines have completed flowering (floraison) or are finishing it and are moving into fruit set (nouaison).
What growers are saying:
“A good flowering season is a good indicator of crop potential.”
Many regions are reporting healthy vine growth, with veraison (the onset of ripening) expected in July and August!
🇮🇹 Italy- following a similar pattern, though southern regions are generally ahead of northern regions.
Northern Italy- (Piedmont, Veneto, Alto Adige, Friuli)
* Flowering is largely complete.
* Fruit set is underway.
* Growers are managing vigorous canopy growth after spring rains.
* Nebbiolo, Barbera, Pinot Grigio, and Prosecco grapes are developing small green berries.
Central Italy- (Tuscany, Umbria)
* Sangiovese vineyards are showing strong growth.
* Fruit set is progressing well.
* Vineyard crews are thinning shoots and managing yields.
Southern Italy- (Sicily, Puglia, Campania)
* Vine development is further advanced due to warmer temperatures.
* Some early varieties may be approaching bunch closure by late June.
Mediterranean vineyards are slightly further along thanks to warmer spring temperatures. The stage is now set for veraison later this summer, when grapes begin their transformation from hard green berries into the fruit that will ultimately become the 2026 vintage. 🍇🍷
Southern Hemisphere: How did the 2026 Vintage Finish?
🇨🇱Chile- Chile’s 2026 harvest was generally considered promising, with warm conditions advancing vine development throughout the season. Budbreak, flowering, veraison, and harvest all occurred earlier than usual in many regions, producing good fruit quality and solid yields.
🇳🇿New Zealand- New Zealand experienced a more variable season. Marlborough and several other regions produced excellent-quality fruit, though some regions saw lower yields due to uneven weather conditions. Winemakers are reporting very high-quality wines despite smaller crops in some areas.
🇿🇦South Africa- South Africa’s harvest was larger than 2025 and is being praised for concentration, balance, and overall quality. Many regions experienced an earlier harvest due to warm conditions, followed by careful vineyard management through challenging weather events.
🇦🇷Argentina- Harvest is largely complete. Production levels varied by region due to weather fluctuations, but quality reports have generally been positive.
