Spain's 2026 Harvest Came Early: 6 Things US Wine Buyers Should Know

On August 6, 2026, pickers walked into the vineyards of Rioja Oriental and started cutting grapes. In a normal year, that date belongs to summer holidays, not harvest. This year it opened one of the earliest vendimias in the history of the DOCa Rioja, and across the river in Navarra the Denominación de Origen called its own start the earliest on record.

For anyone who buys, sells, or simply loves Spanish wine in the United States, an early harvest is more than a weather story. It shapes what the 2026 wines will taste like, when they will reach American shelves, and why the bottles already sitting in U.S. warehouses matter more than ever. Here is what the 2026 harvest actually tells us, using the numbers published by the regulators themselves.

Key Takeaways

• Rioja began picking on August 6, 2026, one of the earliest starts in the denomination's history.
• Navarra expects about 39 million kilos of grapes, roughly 14% more than in 2025.
• 2026 is Rioja's first vintage with lower minimum alcohol: 10% for reds and 9% for whites and rosés, plus an optional "Early Harvest" label.
• Aged 2026 reds are years away: a 2026 Gran Reserva cannot leave the winery before 2031.
• The smart move today is the aged Rioja already in the U.S., in stock and ready to ship to all 50 states.

When is the grape harvest in Rioja?

Traditionally, the Rioja harvest runs from mid-September into late October, moving from the warmer eastern vineyards of Rioja Oriental toward the cooler, higher sites of Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa. That calendar is why Logroño's famous San Mateo harvest festival lands in late September.

2026 broke the pattern. According to the Consejo Regulador, the first grapes came in on August 6 in Rioja Oriental, the warmest part of the denomination. The Consejo describes the start as an unprecedented advance that places the campaign among the earliest in the denomination's history. Local press in La Rioja went further and called it the earliest since records began.

Navarra followed within days. Picking began in early August in the Ribera, the southern part of the D.O., and regional outlets described it as the earliest harvest the denomination has documented. The driver in both regions was the same: a hot growing season that pushed the vines to ripen weeks ahead of the historical average.

Is an early harvest good or bad for wine quality?

Neither, automatically. Heat speeds up sugar accumulation in the grape, but the flavors, tannins, and seeds do not always keep pace. Pick too late in a hot year and you get high alcohol and flat, jammy wine. Pick at the right moment and you keep the fresh acidity that makes Tempranillo and Garnacha so good at the table.

That is why this harvest started so early: growers were protecting freshness. The early signs published by the regulators are encouraging:

• Healthy vineyards. The Consejo Regulador reports good overall sanitary condition across Rioja.
• A recovery in volume. Rioja expects production to rebound after a very short 2025 crop that was hit by mildew in many areas.
• Smaller berries. Average berry weight is below last year for most varieties, down 15.46% in Graciano. Smaller berries mean more skin relative to juice, which is where color and structure live.
• More fruit in Navarra. EVENA forecasts about 39 million kilos of grapes, up about 14% on 2025, from 81 wineries, more than 1,350 growers and roughly 8,375 hectares of vineyard.

The honest caveat, which the Consejo itself stresses: the weather over the remaining weeks of harvest will decide final volume and quality. Nobody can call 2026 a great vintage in September. What we can say is that it is a healthy one, picked with freshness in mind.

What changes in Rioja with the 2026 vintage?

This is the part of the story most American buyers have not heard yet. 2026 is the first vintage produced under Rioja's revised rules for lighter wines, a response to shifting consumer taste and demand for fresher styles:

• Lower minimum alcohol. Rioja can now certify reds from 10% alcohol (previously 11.5%) and whites and rosés from 9% (previously 10.5%). Minimum alcohol for sparkling Rioja drops by one degree.
• A new optional label: "Vendimia Temprana" or "Early Harvest." Producers may use it voluntarily on reds at or below 12% alcohol and on whites and rosés at or below 11%.
• Limited partial dealcoholization. Wineries with the right equipment may reduce a wine's alcohol by up to 20% of its level, never below the legal minimums.
• Yields stay tight. The sector approved the 2026 harvest rules with 97% of the vote, keeping certified yields at 90% of the maximum for red grapes (up to 5,850 kilos per hectare) and 100% for whites (up to 9,000). Any surplus goes to distillation.

For the U.S. trade, this is worth watching. Lighter, fresher, lower-alcohol reds are exactly what many restaurants want for by-the-glass programs and warm-weather menus. For consumers, it means the Rioja of the next few years will offer more range than ever, from bright, early-harvest styles to the classic long-aged reds the region built its name on.

When will 2026 Rioja reach US shelves?

This is where the calendar matters for your cellar or your wine list. Rioja's aging categories are defined by minimum time at the winery, so the 2026 vintage will arrive in waves:

• Young whites, rosés and unoaked reds: generally from spring and summer 2027.
• Crianza (at least 24 months, 12 in oak): no earlier than late 2028.
• Reserva (at least 36 months, 12 in oak): no earlier than late 2029.
• Gran Reserva (at least 60 months, 24 in oak and 24 in bottle): not before 2031.

For a deeper look at those categories, see our guide to the four levels of Rioja, from Joven to Gran Reserva, and our buyer's guide to the 2022, 2023 and 2024 Rioja vintages.

What should US buyers do during harvest season?

An exciting new vintage in the vineyard does not change what is ready to pour today. If anything, a demanding harvest is a reminder of what aged Rioja represents: years of patience the winery has already paid for.

For wine lovers

• Drink the aged vintages now. Manzanos Gran Reserva Rioja 2015 earned 95 points from Wine Enthusiast, and Manzanos Reserva Rioja 2018 earned 93 points. Both are mature, balanced reds built for fall dinners.
• Serve reds slightly cool. Aim for about 60 to 65°F for Reserva and Gran Reserva. A warm room makes even great Rioja taste heavy.
• Toast the harvest with rosado. Navarra rosado, like Las Campanas, is the region's signature pour and a natural partner for early-fall dishes. Our Navarra rosado guide has pairing ideas.

Harvest-season pairings

• Roast chicken with peppers and chorizo: Manzanos Reserva.
• Braised short ribs or lamb stew: Manzanos Gran Reserva.
• Butternut squash and sage pasta: Navarra rosado or a Rioja Blanco.
• Burgers, ribs and game-day spreads: Siglo Tempranillo, the Rioja in the famous jute sack.

For retailers, restaurants and distributors

• Plan Q4 around what is in the country. Our Rioja and Navarra wines are in stock in the U.S. and ready to ship to all 50 states, so there is no need to wait on transatlantic lead times for the holidays.
• Tell the harvest story. Shelf talkers and server notes about Spain's record-early vendimia give guests a timely reason to try an aged Rioja this fall.
• Watch the "Early Harvest" category. Lower-alcohol Rioja is coming, and by-the-glass programs will be the first to benefit.

Why the vendimia matters to a family winery

For the Fernández de Manzanos family, harvest has been the defining moment of the year for five generations, since 1890. Bodegas Manzanos works vineyards in Haro, Azagra and Las Campanas, spanning Rioja and Navarra, which means the family feels a season like 2026 in every one of its estates at once. That depth of experience is part of why the portfolio holds more than 600 wines rated 90 points or higher, including a Decanter Platinum 97 points for Manzanos 125 Aniversario.

You can find Manzanos wines at retailers across the country, including Costco, Total Wine & More, Spec's, BevMo!, Binny's and Hy-Vee, depending on your state.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does vendimia mean?

Vendimia is the Spanish word for the grape harvest. It refers both to picking the grapes and to the season around it, including the festivals many Spanish wine towns hold to celebrate the new vintage.

When is the grape harvest in Rioja?

The Rioja harvest usually runs from mid-September to late October. In 2026 it began unusually early, on August 6, because a hot season accelerated ripening, and it continues region by region as each vineyard reaches maturity.

How long does a wine harvest last?

In a large region like Rioja, harvest lasts several weeks and often stretches over two months. Vineyards are picked in sequence by zone, grape variety and altitude, with warmer, lower sites first and cooler, higher sites last.

What year is considered a good year for Rioja wine?

Vintage quality varies by producer and style, but well-made Reserva and Gran Reserva wines from balanced years are the safest bet. Aged wines like Manzanos Gran Reserva 2015 (95 points, Wine Enthusiast) show how a good year develops over time.

What is the main grape in Rioja?

Tempranillo is Rioja's main red grape, often blended with Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo. Its name comes from "temprano," Spanish for early, because it ripens earlier than many other varieties.

Find Your Bottle, or Bring Rioja to Your List

Wine lovers: explore our full portfolio and use Find Our Wines to locate Manzanos, Siglo and Las Campanas near you.

Retailers, restaurants and distributors: our Spanish wines are in stock in the U.S. and ready to ship to all 50 states. Become a distributor or reach out to our trade team to plan your fall and holiday program.

Manzanos Wines USA is the premier importer of premium wines from Spain, Italy, Chile, South Africa, and France, serving all 50 US states through our nationwide distributor network. Learn more at manzanoswinesusa.com.

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