Northern Rhône’s 2026 harvest ran early amid drought and heatwaves

Terre de Vins reports an unusually early 2026 harvest in the northern Rhône after a season marked by prolonged drought and repeated heatwaves. Picking generally began nearly two weeks ahead of the average in recent years, in some cases as early as mid-August, and moved quickly. At Domaine Chave in Mercurol-Veaune, which works in Crozes-Hermitage and Hermitage, Yann Chave said the 18 August start was the earliest he had experienced. The report also points to rainfall on 15 August as welcome relief during the dry spell.