With the harvesting of the coastal Mataró variety, grapes intended for the production of our emblematic Alta Alella Dolç Mataró, we have concluded our 2024 harvest!
2024 has been a year of a return to ‘normality’ in many respects. After years of extreme drought, the rains finally came – much needed especially by the older vines with the deepest roots which had suffered more water stress until now–, and we’ve experienced more moderate temperatures.
The favourable conditions during the vegetative period already gave us a good indication of a great vintage ahead marked by very good vine health. Harvesting started later than in recent years with the first grapes harvested on the 5th of August. The dry and hot climate at the time also resulted in good ripening of the early varieties.
From the beginning of September, the drop in temperature and the return of the rains prolonged the ripening of the late varieties, with the thermal jump between day and night favouring the aroma metabolism and colour of the grapes. This also helped preserve their acidity; a very positive element especially for the red and white varieties destined for the wines made for ageing.
Our harvest concluded with weather conditions more characteristic of autumn, unlike in recent years, bringing us, together with the factors mentioned above, a vintage where the vines produced fewer grapes (due to the years of drought we’ve experienced), but of a high quality and very good plant health overall.
Although we now have no more grapes left in the vineyards, the work in the cellar continues: fermentations, macerations, racking and bâtonnage… onward!
