LANZAROTE WINE HARVEST 2026: A PROMISING VINTAGE AFTER A DIFFICULT COUPLE OF YEARS
The 2026 Lanzarote wine harvest is heading towards its conclusion with more than three million kilos of grapes expected to be collected, according to the Denominación de Origen Vinos de Lanzarote.
The forecast represents a welcome recovery for Lanzarote's wine industry following two previous harvests in which production was lower than expected.
The 2026 campaign also got underway earlier than originally expected because of high temperatures during the summer.
AN EARLY START TO THE 2026 HARVEST
The first grapes of the 2026 harvest were collected in early July, with the high temperatures bringing forward the start of the campaign.
The harvest then progressed in a more staggered way, with the wider collection getting underway through July and continuing into August and beyond depending on the vineyard and grape variety.
Among the early bodegas to begin harvesting were Bodega David Fernández and Bodega Jable de Tao, followed by Bodega El Grifo, where early grapes were used for its Brut sparkling wine before the remainder of the harvest continued.
A PROMISING CROP
By the beginning of September, the Denominación de Origen was forecasting a final harvest of more than three million kilos of grapes.
Other estimates reported during August had placed the potential crop even higher, at around 3.5 million kilos, illustrating how forecasts can change as the harvest progresses.
What has remained consistent is the positive assessment of grape quality.
The Consejo Regulador has described the condition and quality of the grapes as particularly encouraging, providing optimism for the wines that will eventually be produced from the 2026 vintage.
LANZAROTE'S UNIQUE VINEYARDS
For visitors, the Lanzarote wine harvest is about much more than the final number of kilos collected.
The island's vineyards are among the most unusual in the world.
Across La Geria and other wine-growing areas, vines are planted in volcanic ash known locally as rofe. Individual vines are often protected by distinctive semi-circular stone walls, which help shelter them from the island's strong winds.
The volcanic landscape, unusual growing methods and dry climate give Lanzarote wines a distinctive identity.
THE TRADITION OF THE HARVEST
The annul vendimia is also an important part of Lanzarote's cultural heritage.
In August, hundreds of residents and tourists took part in traditional harvest celebrations in La Geria, including the traditional grape harvest involving camels.
Visitors were able to experience some of the customs surrounding Lanzarote's wine-growing tradition, while activities included grape treading and demonstrations connected with the island's historic methods of production.
WINE TOURISM IN LANZAROTE
The wine harvest also plays an important role in tourism.
La Geria attracts visitors throughout the year who want to explore the vineyards, visit bodegas and taste wines produced on the island.
Wine tourism has increasingly become part of the wider Lanzarote experience, combining agriculture, landscape, history and gastronomy.
For tourists who have already visited the island's beaches and volcanic attractions, a visit to one of Lanzarote's bodegas offers a completely different way of discovering the island.
LOOKING AHEAD TO THE 2026 VINTAGE
Although the harvest still has to be completed and the grapes then need to go through the winemaking process, the early signs are encouraging.
A crop of more than three million kilos would represent a significant improvement after two difficult harvests, while the reported quality of the grapes has given producers reason to look forward to the 2026 wines.
The coming months will reveal exactly what the vintage produces once fermentation and the rest of the winemaking process have taken place.
For Lanzarote's viticulturists and bodegas, however, 2026 is already shaping up to be a year of renewed optimism.
