The remainder of the year was dry, with conditions particularly favourable for flowering and successful fruit set. Summer then brought several heatwaves. However, along the Mediterranean coast, maritime influences played their natural regulatory role, partially mitigating excessive temperatures and helping the vines withstand these challenging conditions.

Ripening progressed very rapidly, leading to an unusually early start to the harvest on 7 August. This early timing proved especially beneficial for varieties destined for white and rosé wines, which were picked before the most intense heat arrived. As a result, yields were preserved and the balance of the wines remained remarkably intact.

Among the red varieties, performance was more varied. Syrah sometimes struggled with the high temperatures, finding it difficult to reach optimal ripeness without sacrificing yield. In contrast, the great Mediterranean varieties once again demonstrated their exceptional adaptability to our terroir. Carignan, Grenache, and Mourvèdre delivered outstanding crops, particularly from old vines whose deep root systems enabled them to make full use of the water reserves accumulated during the winter.

Several other varieties also distinguished themselves through their remarkable resilience to heat: Cabernet Sauvignon, Piquepoul Noir, Grenache Blanc, Grenache Gris, Bourboulenc and, above all, Rolle, whose quality proved exceptional this year. Cinsault also confirmed its potential for the future, thanks to its ability to maintain good yields while preserving freshness in the grapes.

This growing season also highlighted the need for ongoing adaptation in vineyard management. Topping was deliberately kept to a minimum in order to preserve the leaf canopy and protect the grape clusters from excessive sun exposure. Mechanical harvesting proved challenging in some varieties with drooping shoots. In addition, several plots were harvested by hand at night, equipped with 30 headlamps, a first for the estate. This allowed for better working conditions for the teams while ensuring that the grapes arrived at the winery at temperatures favourable to preserving their aromatic qualities.

Another important lesson of the vintage concerns the soils. In our organically farmed vineyard, living soils rich in organic matter demonstrated an extraordinary ability to retain water throughout the season. The richer a soil is in biological activity, the more it acts as a natural reservoir capable of supporting the vines during periods of water stress. Today, this capacity has become a key factor in the resilience of our vineyards.

Once again, the vine impressed us with its ability to adapt to extreme conditions. The red wines show beautiful ripeness and great harmony, while the whites display remarkable balance between freshness, tension and aromatic expression.

The 2026 vintage also reinforces the position of Languedoc-Roussillon among the world’s great quality wine regions. When winter rainfall replenishes water reserves, the combination of Mediterranean terroirs, maritime influence and the expertise of the winegrowers provides the vine with ideal conditions to fully express its potential.

2026 will be remembered as a vintage of resilience, balance and renewed confidence.

Harvest season has started unusually early this year at Famille Fabre, with our first Chardonnay grapes picked on August 7th, followed just a few days later by the Merlot destined for our rosé wines on August 11th.

After three consecutive vintages marked by severe drought and significant water stress, 2026 is bringing a welcome change. Thanks to more favorable growing conditions and better water availability, our vines have faced the summer with greater resilience and balance. While the harvest dates are among the earliest we’ve seen, the vines have maintained excellent health and fruit quality throughout the season.

Walking through the vineyards, we are delighted to find beautifully balanced grapes, showing both freshness and concentration. The berries have ripened evenly, offering promising levels of acidity, fruit expression and aromatic intensity.

The excitement continues in the cellar. As the first grapes arrived and the juices began to flow, we were immediately struck by their quality. Bright, fresh and bursting with fruit, these early juices are already a pleasure to taste. Their purity and aromatic richness are remarkable, capturing the essence of the vintage from the very first pressings.

In fact, the juices are tasting so good that they have inspired a new idea among the family: why not produce our own grape juice this year?

We usually focus on transforming these wonderful grapes into wines, but some of the first juices are so delicious that they deserve to be enjoyed just as they are. Naturally sweet, refreshing and full of character, they offer a different way to experience the fruit of our vineyards.

Of course, the harvest is only just beginning, and many more varieties are still to come. The coming weeks will reveal the full personality of the 2026 vintage. But these first days have already filled us with optimism.

Early harvest dates, healthier vines, less water stress and exceptionally promising juices: the 2026 vintage is off to a wonderful start at Famille Fabre.

Stay tuned as we follow the harvest through the weeks ahead! 🍇✨🍷