Caballero Norrel Robertson MW’s Monte Armantes vineyard in Calatayud, August 2024
By Anna Harris-Noble, November 2024
In his summary for jancisrobinson.com, Caballero Ferran Centelles described the 2024 vintage as “Short and challenging, with some bright spots, such as Galicia, where the harvest was small but the healthiest in a decade.”
One of the factors that provided both “bright spots” and challenges, was the rainfall. After two years of extensive drought, 2024 brought some respite to central and southern Spain but heavy downpours also caused issues in areas like Rioja, while eastern areas and the islands continued to be impacted by drought.
Of course, although occurring after the harvest, late October sadly saw torrential flooding in areas of Valencia with devastating effects, including tragic loss of life. Winery infrastructure was damaged, including the warehouses of Bodegas Vicente Gandía, where the late caballero José María Gandía Perales was CEO for many years, although thankfully, they were able to reopen after a few days.
It is still too early to know the exact level of damage to the wine sector, but the DO Valencia issued a statement on the 8th of November explaining that several vineyards have completely disappeared, “The landscape has changed, there are terraces that no longer exist,” and “several vine growers are evaluating whether to replant or not.”
We caught up with some of the caballeros to hear their thoughts on the 2024 vintage. Norrel Robertson MW, who makes wines in Calatayud, Aragon under his Escocés Volante label, commented in November:
“After two years of extensive drought, 2024 has brought almost double the annual rainfall so far and some respite to those involved in dry grown viticulture.
Winter rains came in January, then other important rain events followed throughout the growing season.
Yields are down in general – As fecundity and fruitfulness of the 2024 crop was based on plant nutrition and water availability the year before, there are a lot of vineyards that did not have many grapes this year, as the 2024 fruit was laid down in the buds during last year’s drought. There was also poor fruit set in many high altitude Garnacha vineyards around Aragón.
Frost events on the 23rd and 24th of April reduced yields in up to 25% of our vineyards situated in the Ribota and Manubles valleys, but spring rains insured at least a good recovery of growth.
Summer 2024 did not have the excessive heat and drought of 2022 and 2023 and as such the wines will be fresher, more balanced and long lived. Veraison started around the 20th of July and the lower temperatures ensured a regular veraison and a start date for us on the 16th of September finishing by the first week of October.
What must be noted in España Vaciada, “Empty Spain”, is that with less human activity in the countryside, pests have played a considerable part in damaging vineyards this year. Rabbits, boar and deer have run riot and the bird population has been at its highest in my 21 years in Calatayud.
Rainfall for August, September and October alone amounted to over 300 mm – around what we can expect for a whole year. This will play an important part in laying down reserves for 2025 and letting many vineyards recover long term.”
In general, central Spain experienced favorable conditions in 2024, and as such, Castilla La Mancha, responsible for almost two-thirds of Spain’s grape production, anticipates a large vintage due to moderate summer temperatures, ample spring rainfall, and a lack of pests and diseases. Extremadura also predicts a large harvest.
In the South, after four years of drought, DO Jerez-Xérès-Sherry had some relief, with rainfall between 480-550 litres per square metre and cooler nighttime temperatures. The harvest yielded 62.5 million kilos, a 25% increase on the previous year.
In contrast, parts of northern Spain faced challenges due to heavy rainfall.
Rioja had a low production year, potentially the smallest of the century. The region had cooler temperatures and the wettest vintage since 2018, with over half of the 407mm of precipitation falling in September and October. La Rioja Alta, S.A. (Rioja), where Caballero Guillermo de Aranzabal is president, explained that this led to an accelerated harvest: “Rainfall throughout the harvest period required an accelerated selection and collection process, resulting in one of the shortest harvests in recent years. Variable grape qualities across different parcels suggest that the best wines will come from grapes harvested early in the season.”
Despite continuous rainfall throughout September and October in the Rioja Alavesa, the group’s Torre de Oña estate winery was in the areas that picked high quality grapes: “A short harvest with high quality allowed for selective harvesting in small boxes,” it highlighted.
Galicia faced issues with fruit shatter and fungal diseases due to damp conditions, but yields were not significantly affected. DO Rias Baixas saw a 5% decrease in harvest compared to the previous year. At Lagar de Fornelos (Rías Baixas), “Favorable weather conditions allowed for perfect grape ripeness and health. Production was lower than in 2023, but the quality remained high.”
DO Ribera del Duero faced challenges from frost and hailstorms that damaged some vineyards, but Áster (Ribera del Duero), described the harvest as “A very selective due to favourable weather. Low yields led to complete ripeness of the Tinta del País grapes and initial assessments indicate high wine quality.”
Neighbouring DO Rueda in Castilla y Leon had a more plentiful harvest, nearly 139 million kilos compared to 130 million in the previous year. Wet weather and high temperatures allowed for slow and progressive ripening, resulting in “very good quality musts.”
Eastern Spain and the islands continued to experience drought conditions, which led to particularly small vintages in DO Priorat, DO Jumilla and both the Canary and Balearic Islands.
Overall, the 2024 Spanish harvest presented both challenges and opportunities. While some regions benefited from increased rainfall, others continued to grapple with drought. Despite the difficulties, the dedication of Spain’s viticulturists and winemakers promises good quality wines from this diverse vintage.