Vintage 2022. What is hidden in our cellars?

The regulatory council reported that the harvest in 2022 took place from August 30 to November 12, spanning a total of 74 days. The grapes were significantly impacted by extreme weather conditions, but despite this, they are currently in optimal health and boast a distinctive terroir character.

The Ribera del Duero Designation of Origin has now completed its fortieth harvest, which lasted seventy-four days, the third-longest in its history. Currently, there are 7,551 grape growers and 26,188.95 hectares registered in the DO.

The 2022 vintage was an early campaign that commenced on August 30, amid drought and high temperatures, delaying the ripening cycle slightly. However, the rains in September helped to boost the pace, resulting in an efficient and agile harvest. The harvest ended with 105,038,409 kilos, with a notable increase in white grapes, mainly albillo grapes. The DO's native white grape made up 1,190,797 kilos, almost thirty-five percent more than in the previous harvest. 103,847,612 kilos of red grapes were harvested, mostly Tinta Fina from Ribera del Duero.

The harvest was conducted manually, with only 27.9% of the total area utilizing machines. This figure is a testament to the predominance of manual harvesting, which is more demanding but also more precise. It allows the selection of clusters and the control of production from the vineyard itself, an exhaustive process that ensures the best quality.

In summary, the vintage has the potential to be just as excellent as the previous three, which is exciting news. Let's hope for the best and keep our fingers crossed.