2026 Harvest in the Cinque Terre: A positive vintage, but the work continues all year
The 2026 harvest in the Cinque Terre is coming to an end with very positive results. The warm weather brought the harvest forward compared with previous years. Traditionally, grape harvesting took place towards the end of September. Despite this earlier timing, grape quality has been very good.
Matteo Bonanini, president of Cantina Cinque Terre, described 2026 as one of the best vintages of his 44-year career. This is an important result in an area where wine production requires skill, experience and a great deal of manual work.
However, the climate continues to change the timing and methods of wine production. As a result, local producers must face new challenges every year.
2026 Harvest in the Cinque Terre and heroic viticulture
During the 2026 harvest in the Cinque Terre, it is easy to understand what “heroic viticulture” really means.
Just look at the landscape. Vineyards grow on steep slopes and historic terraces. Workers often move along narrow paths and stairways.
In addition, harvesting still requires a great deal of manual work. The terrain makes the use of conventional machinery difficult.
What does heroic viticulture mean?
Heroic viticulture means growing grapes in particularly difficult conditions.
In the Cinque Terre, this includes:
- growing vines on steep, terraced land;
- harvesting grapes by hand;
- moving along paths and stairways;
- caring for vineyards throughout the year;
- maintaining the soil and dry-stone walls;
- managing a fragile and complex landscape.
Therefore, the harvest is only the most visible part of a much longer process.
Vineyard work continues all year
When people talk about the harvest, attention usually focuses on picking the grapes. However, the work of local winegrowers does not begin in August or end in September.
Vineyard care continues throughout the year. It starts with pruning and continues with plant and soil management.
Terrace maintenance is also essential. Dry-stone walls play an important role in the structure of the landscape.
For this reason, talking about heroic viticulture only during harvest season would be too limiting.
Wine and landscape protection in the Cinque Terre
Winegrowers do more than produce wine. Their presence also helps keep an extremely fragile landscape cultivated and maintained.
This role is not always immediately visible. However, the results can be seen across the slopes of the Cinque Terre.
Many terraces still exist because someone continues to work them.
Consequently, buying and appreciating local products also means supporting the people who keep this agricultural tradition alive.
Cinque Terre DOC and Sciacchetrà
A bottle of Cinque Terre DOC or Sciacchetrà tells the story of a unique production system.
Wine is produced in conditions that are very different from areas where machinery can easily be used. Moreover, vineyards are often difficult to reach and cultivate.
Therefore, the value of the wine is not limited to the final product. It also represents the landscape, the hard work and the continuity of local farming.
A positive vintage, but a challenge that continues
The 2026 harvest in the Cinque Terre therefore brings positive signs for grape quality. At the same time, it shows how climate change is affecting the rhythms of local viticulture.
Warm weather brought the harvest forward compared with traditional timings. Producers must therefore adapt to increasingly changing conditions.
However, one thing remains constant: the work needed to maintain these vineyards.
The harvest is the most visible and celebrated moment of the year. Soon afterwards, however, the work begins again.
2026 Harvest in the Cinque Terre: Why supporting local producers matters
Giving local wine the value it deserves means directly supporting the people who continue to cultivate these slopes.
It also means recognising the importance of a landscape shaped and maintained through agricultural work.
Today, we can travel through the Cinque Terre and admire its terraces. We can do so partly because many people continue to choose, every day, to work this land.
The 2026 harvest in the Cinque Terre is therefore a positive vintage worth celebrating. More importantly, it is an opportunity to remember that every bottle represents a year-round commitment.
