SOMMOS Winery Begins the Earliest Harvest in Its History

An exceptionally warm and dry summer has led us to begin our grape harvest in early August, whereas harvesting traditionally starts in the second half of the month. The earliest harvest in SOMMOS Winery's history is characterized by a smaller crop size but also by outstanding grape health and quality. Heavy rainfall during winter and spring provided our vineyards with sufficient water reserves to withstand the summer conditions.

As our winemaker, José Javier Echandi, explains:

 

"Climate change is forcing us to face new and unknown conditions every year, making anticipation and adaptation more important than ever."

To maintain exceptional quality even in challenging vintages such as this one, we apply specific vineyard management practices, including careful canopy management to protect grapes from direct sun exposure. We also remove cover crops when necessary to avoid competition for water resources between the vegetation and the vines.

Additionally, we cultivate vineyards in some of the northernmost and highest-altitude areas of the D.O.P. Somontano, including our Güel vineyard, located between 750 and 1,000 meters above sea level. These unique conditions help preserve freshness and balance in the grapes despite increasingly warm growing seasons.

 

A Sustainable Night Harvest

 

The 2026 harvest began during the early hours of the morning, taking advantage of the coolest temperatures of the day. The first variety harvested was Gewürztraminer, followed this week by Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

Subsequent harvests will include varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Syrah, and our high-altitude Garnacha Blanca. The harvest cycle will conclude in early October with old-vine Garnacha sourced from the D.O.P. Calatayud.

In total, the harvest is expected to last approximately 50 days. As in previous years, we will rely on state-of-the-art technology to ensure the highest standards of wine quality throughout the winemaking process.

Sustainability remains a key priority for SOMMOS. Night harvesting significantly reduces the energy required to cool grapes before maceration, lowering our overall energy consumption.

One year ago, SOMMOS joined the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA), a leading global organization that certifies wineries committed to decarbonization and environmental responsibility.

This July, we underwent a new audit with the objective of achieving Silver Status, a certification that recognizes wineries that not only calculate their carbon footprint but also implement verified and continuous reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.

 

As highlighted by our Marketing Director, Diego Mur:

"Over the past few years, we have implemented improvements and optimized processes that have made us nearly self-sufficient in energy. Today, two-thirds of the energy we consume is generated by photovoltaic panels installed at the winery. We have also reduced the weight of our bottles by using less glass, lowered water consumption, and introduced measures to improve the efficiency of our logistics chain. Moving one step further within the IWCA sustainability framework reinforces our commitment to protecting the planet."