Champagne Harvest 2026

In Champagne, harvest is a family affair.

In early August, our growers are usually on holiday, resting up in the company of their family and friends in anticipation for the Champagne harvest, which typically happens in late August or early September. 

But this year, after a series of summer heatwaves where temperatures reached as high as 104 degrees, harvest began several weeks ahead of schedule — the earliest Champagne harvest on record.

When did harvest begin in 2026? In late July, the Comité Interprofessionnel du vin de Champagne, the industry organization that closely monitors grape maturity to determine harvest dates in Champagne, France, announced that harvest would begin on Aug. 12.

From that official start date, growers had a two- to three-week window during which to pick their grapes. Each village determines its own picking schedule based on a number of factors, including grape varietal.

This year's accelerated window for picking grapes meant growers had to scramble to organize their teams somewhat at the last minute. But, true its nature, villages across each of the subregions rallied, and the 2026 Champagne harvest was a tremendous success. 

“The grapes were few in number and rather small because of the drought we experienced this summer,” said Clément Hervieux of Hervieux-Dumez. In terms of quality, however, they were perfect — ripe to perfection with record-high sugar levels while retaining lovely acidity. In short, everything we need to make another great vintage.” 

Here’s a closer look at an unforgettable harvest:

At Néret-Vély in Vauchamps, harvest work begins at day break or in some cases even earlier. The grapes must be picked while the air is still cool. If it’s too warm, the grapes will run the risk of spontaneous fermentation in the bin before they make it to the press.

A simple breakfast is served for the early risers at Néret-Vély.

A vineyard worker at Néret-Vély picks pinot meunier clusters by hand. Handpicking is a traditional method that is mandated by Champagne law.

Pinot meunier at Néret-Vély. By Champagne law, established vines are dry farmed without supplemental irrigation, even during drought.

Harvest means all hands on deck for the Redons. Family and friends come from in and around the family’s village of Trépail to help. In many cases, they take vacation from their work to perform the backbreaking tasks of handpicking, transporting, loading, unloading and lifting binfuls of ripe Champagne grapes.

Exhausted but still smiling, brothers Valentin and Hugo Redon pack their van with bins filled with Champagne grapes. Vignerons often sleep less than five hours a night during harvest.

Harvest workers at the Redon family estate carefully pour chardonnay grapes into the traditional wooden press by the binful and then tamp them down to make room for more.

After each long, grueling day of harvest, the Redon family gathers everyone around a communal table that they lovingly refer to as the “hordon.” These nightly rituals are the lead up to one final celebration once harvest is done for the year. “Le cochelet” marks the completion of harvest with food and plenty of Champagne for all.