At Domaine Daurion, the 2026 harvest will officially begin on August 11. This exceptionally early date sets a new record for the estate.

But how do we actually decide when to start the harvest?

Contrary to popular belief, the grape harvest doesn't begin simply because a date is marked on the calendar.

They begin when the grapes, the vines, and the wine we want to produce reach the right balance.

Much More Than Just a Matter of Sugar

As the grape harvest approaches, the vineyards are monitored almost daily.

We collect berries from different areas of the vineyard to monitor several parameters:

• the sugar concentration, which will determine, among other things, the wine's potential alcohol content;
• acidity and pH, which are essential for freshness and balance;
• the ripeness of the skins and seeds;
• the health of the grape clusters;
• and, above all, the taste of the grapes.

Because the analyses don't tell the whole story.

You should also taste the berries, examine their texture, chew on the skins and seeds, appreciate the aromas, and understand how each plot develops.

Each plot has its own rhythm

Two vineyards located a few hundred meters apart may be harvested several days apart.

The grape variety, the age of the vines, the aspect, the soil type, the water content, and the grape load all affect the rate of ripening.

In Daurion, our terroirs around Pézenas—particularly our basalt-rich soils—also have their own rhythms.

So we don’t harvest an entire estate. We harvest individual plots, one after another.

And the harvest schedule is constantly being adjusted.

The style of the future wine also determines the date

Waiting longer doesn't necessarily mean better quality.

If grapes are harvested too early, they may lack aromatic maturity.

Harvesting too late, on the other hand, can cause the wine to lose its freshness and vibrancy.

The challenge, then, lies in identifying that brief window during which maturity, balance, freshness, and the terroir’s character come together.

That's where the winemaker's work really begins.

August 11, 2026: The grape harvest begins

This year, the vines have grown particularly quickly.

After several weeks of observation, sampling, and tastings, the decision has been made:

Domaine Daurion will officially kick off its 2026 grape harvest on Tuesday, August 11.

An exceptionally early date and a new record for the estate.

But that date is just the beginning.

In the days that follow, each plot will be monitored and harvested at the time we deem most appropriate.

Because during the harvest, a few days—sometimes just a few hours—can change a wine’s profile.

The 2026 vintage begins now.

Domaine Daurion — Pézenas
Rooted in terroir. Inspired by the future.