Harvest outlook Spain 2025

Penedes Vinyard

National Production Forecast

Spain is anticipating a moderate rebound in its 2025 grape harvest, with early estimates projecting between 37.5 to 38 million hectoliters of wine and must. This represents an improvement from 2024 and a notable recovery from the historically low 2023 vintage. While not a record-breaking year, this volume would bring Spain closer to its long-term production average and help stabilize inventories across the industry.

Grape Quality Across Major Regions

Rioja

Producers in Rioja report strong vine health and expect excellent grape quality. Following years of drought, the 2025 season benefited from good water reserves and a cooler ripening period. A slightly delayed harvest is seen as beneficial for complexity and balance.

Ribera del Duero

Growers are cautiously optimistic after successfully navigating weather-related challenges in 2024. 2025 is expected to deliver another high-quality vintage with healthy, slowly ripening fruit and good flavor concentration.

Catalonia (Priorat, Penedès, Montsant)

After prolonged drought, the region received much-needed rain, leading to a positive recovery in vine health. Grape quality is expected to be excellent, though yields remain well below average. Disease pressure from mildew has required vigilant management, but grapes reaching harvest are in good shape.

Jerez (Sherry Region)

The region faced an intense mildew outbreak that significantly reduced yields, making this the smallest harvest in a decade. However, grapes that survived are reported to be of decent quality, and winemakers are optimistic about producing elegant wines from a more concentrated crop.

Montilla-Moriles

Harvest began with a significant production drop due to widespread mildew damage. Despite the low volume, quality remains promising, especially for late-ripening grapes like Pedro Ximénez.

Other Regions

• Galicia is expecting a normal-quality vintage, pending dry autumn conditions.

• Valencia and Murcia remain affected by drought, limiting yields.

• Castilla-La Mancha, Spain’s largest wine-producing area, reports good vine health and an optimistic outlook for both quality and quantity.

• Canary Islands anticipate very low yields again due to ongoing drought, but quality of the limited crop remains high.

Climatic and Agronomic Influences

• Delayed Ripening: Cooler spring weather has pushed harvest dates back by 1–2 weeks, which could benefit grape balance and complexity.

• Rain and Mildew: Spring rains improved soil moisture but led to widespread mildew outbreaks, especially in Andalusia and parts of Catalonia. Mildew significantly reduced yields in some regions, though vineyards that controlled it are showing excellent potential.

• Drought Legacy: Many vines, especially in the southeast and islands, are still recovering from long-term water stress. Yields in these areas remain below normal.

• Hail and Weather Extremes: Localized hailstorms caused vineyard damage in regions like Castilla-La Mancha and Ribera del Duero, though impacts are not nationally significant.

• Pests and Wildlife: Increased wildlife activity, including rabbits and wild boars, has added pressure in some areas, especially in central Spain.

Industry Sentiment

National and regional wine industry groups express cautious optimism for the 2025 harvest. While mildew has impacted yields, many believe this may help avoid overproduction and keep market prices stable. Wine stocks are slightly down from last year, and improved grape quality could help boost Spain’s competitiveness globally.

Historical Context

2025 is shaping up to be Spain’s best vintage since 2020 in terms of both yield and quality. After extreme weather events in 2022 and 2023 severely reduced production, this year marks a welcome return to more balanced conditions. Though challenges persist, particularly from disease pressure and climate volatility, the Spanish wine sector appears to be stabilizing and adapting well to changing conditions.

Conclusion

Spain’s 2025 grape harvest is expected to deliver moderate volumes and high-quality fruit, with significant variation by region. While mildew has taken a toll on yields in areas like Jerez and Montilla-Moriles, many other regions are reporting healthy vines and promising quality. With favorable late-summer weather, 2025 could produce some of Spain’s most elegant wines in recent years—a much-needed boost for growers and winemakers after several turbulent vintages.