The 2026 grape harvest in the DOP Vinos de Lanzarote began this week several days earlier than expected. The Regulatory Council estimates a yield of 2.5 million kilos, significantly higher than last year's 843,000.
The Protected Designation of Origin (DOP) Vinos de Lanzarote has officially kicked off the 2026 harvest, a campaign that is set to be historic in volume. The high temperatures of recent days have advanced the picking in several plots, and the first wineries have already started harvesting grapes.
According to the Regulatory Council, the heatwave has accelerated the ripening of the Malvasía Volcánica, the island's flagship variety. So far, around 1,000 kilos have been harvested, a figure that will grow exponentially in the coming weeks.
A record harvest after a year of lows
The president of the Regulatory Council, Jorge Rodríguez, estimates that this year's production could reach 2.5 million kilos of grapes. This figure contrasts sharply with the mere 843,000 kilos of 2025, one of the lowest harvests in the island's history. The increase is attributed to more favourable climatic conditions and the good health of the vineyards.
Rodríguez explained that the early start is directly related to the high temperatures recorded this week, which have forced wineries to begin harvesting to preserve the quality of the fruit. “The grapes have ripened earlier than expected, and we could not wait any longer,” he stated.
The first wineries and the Malvasía Volcánica
The wineries David Fernández, Jable de Tao, and El Grifo have been the pioneers. In the case of El Grifo, one of the most emblematic wineries in Lanzarote, the harvest has begun with the batches destined for its sparkling wine Brut. The star variety in these first days is the Malvasía Volcánica, the most representative grape of local viticulture and key to the island's wine identity.
The rest of the wineries affiliated with the DOP will gradually join in as technicians confirm the optimal ripening point in each vineyard. Factors such as the orientation of the land, altitude, or the microclimate of each plot dictate the pace of the harvest, which will extend well into August.
For the residents of Lanzarote, this harvest represents a relief after a minimal 2025. Grapes are the lifeblood for many families and the agricultural landscape of the island. Wineries are already working tirelessly to ensure that the fruit arrives in the best condition to the presses, and viticulturists are hopeful that quality will match quantity. The campaign is expected to be intense, but with a horizon of recovery that excites the sector.
“The harvest is one of the most important moments in Lanzarote's agricultural calendar,” the Regulatory Council reminds us. The vines, protected by the traditional holes dug in volcanic ash and sheltered by stone walls, once again demonstrate their ability to adapt to an extreme environment.
The forecast is that most wineries will begin harvesting between mid and late July. Consumers will be able to find the first wines from the 2026 harvest on the market starting next autumn, with the hope that this year the must will be particularly generous.
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