Harvest 2016

The 2016 growing season began with a relatively warm, dry spring that advanced budbreak. Summer brought substantially more rain and repeated temperature fluctuations, with warm periods alternating with colder, rainy days and temperatures frequently falling below seasonal averages. Ripening slowed and small pockets of botrytis developed.

Harvest began on 20 September with grapes measuring 18–19° Babo. From the end of September, daytime temperatures rose while nighttime temperatures dropped sharply. These substantial day–night differences helped suppress botrytis, preserve acidity, sustain sugar development, and allow healthy grapes to reach the cellar.

Picking concluded on 15 October. The season had initially presented a delicate balance between grape health and maturity, but the late change in weather produced sound fruit, strong maturity, and broad acidity. Yields were not high, while grape quality benefited from the pronounced temperature differences during the final ripening period.