Emater postpones projection of the 2026 grape harvest in Rio Grande do Sul.

Vineyard production and productivity are highly dependent on weather conditions. Although this year's winter was quite favorable for cultivation, spring has presented some challenges. Given this scenario, Emater/RS considers it unfeasible to define a harvest estimate at this time, due to all the factors that may still interfere during the fruiting period. Therefore, the institution plans to release harvest data in mid-January.

Emater/RS rural extension agent Thompsson Didoné explains that despite the excellent harvest in 2025, both in quantity and quality, the vineyards have been experiencing adverse situations for several years. "In the last five years, they have been subjected to stress due to severe droughts and, in 2024, to intense and prolonged waterlogging of the soil, affecting the root system due to restrictions in oxygen supply," he clarifies. 

However, this year's winter brought strong favorable characteristics for a promising harvest, especially the number of hours of cold below 7,2°C. In Vacaria, for example, there were 770 hours (Agroconnet, Epagri/Ciram), in Caxias do Sul 654 hours (Agroconnet, Epagri/Ciram), and in Veranópolis 399 hours (Cefruti). 

“A high total of hours of cold below 7,2°C is essential for the uniformity and vigor of budding, as well as adequate flowering. The quality of this cold is also something surprising, that is, there were no peaks of higher temperatures in June and July; in addition to this, the fact that no late frost (August/September) was recorded is also a factor,” emphasizes Thompsson.

However, according to agricultural engineer Enio Ângelo Todeschini, a specialist in viticulture, despite the encouraging winter, spring has presented some climatic conditions that are somewhat adverse to the smooth running of the harvest and, therefore, worrying, such as the persistent cold.

“Night and morning temperatures in September and October, well below average for the period (cold spells), delaying plant development; a high number of days with overcast skies, reducing the photosynthetic capacity of the plants; the second half of October with strong winds, stressing the plants; and, finally, a considerable occurrence of 'desavinho' (a physiological disorder that converts bunches into tendrils and reduces the number of berries per bunch. Another typical characteristic of this disturbance is the inverted position of the bunches (turning upwards) at this early stage of development,” he observes.