Vinegrowers on the Brink: Nearly a Month Without Rain
Prolonged drought and high temperatures threaten to reduce yields and wine quality, especially for Graševina in eastern Croatia.
Prolonged drought and high temperatures threaten to reduce yields and wine quality, especially for Graševina in eastern Croatia.
Nearly a month without significant rainfall and a prolonged dry spell with high temperatures are threatening this year's grape harvest across Croatia, reports eMeđimurje on Saturday, August 8, 2026. Although the vines have so far managed to withstand the extreme weather conditions, the upcoming period will be decisive for the final outcome of the season, and vinegrowers are becoming painfully aware of this with each new day without rain.
The clusters in most vineyards are currently progressing without major sun damage, but the effects of the lack of moisture are becoming more evident day by day. The berries are not yet fully formed, and growers point out that a smaller yield is looming if rainfall does not arrive soon, with the nearly month-long drought being their biggest concern. The last significant rainfall occurred in early July 2026 and temporarily improved the situation, but now new amounts of rain are urgently needed again for the vines to continue ripening normally.
According to vinegrowers, a few timely showers in the coming days could significantly improve the situation. If this does not happen, there is a risk of the grapes drying out and shriveling, which would directly reduce the harvest volume.
The usual time for grape harvest is early September, but climate change in recent years has increasingly shifted these deadlines. Due to earlier ripening of some varieties, it is possible that this year's harvest will begin earlier than usual, although vinegrowers emphasize that for most vineyards, the time has not yet come. Before making a final decision, they must analyze the grapes and check the sugar-to-acid ratio, a crucial indicator for determining the optimal moment.
The prolonged drought and extreme temperatures threaten not only the quantity of grapes but also the future quality of the wine. High temperatures promote the accumulation of sugar in the berries, while the proportion of acids, precisely those essential for the freshness and balance of the wine, decreases. This could particularly affect Graševina, the most widespread variety in eastern Croatia, where preserving acids and freshness is among the key characteristics.
Although the start of the season hinted at an abundant yield, the final stage of ripening will determine both the quality and quantity of this year's grapes. Vinegrowers are therefore visiting their vineyards daily, monitoring the condition of the grapes, and awaiting weather conditions that will decide between a successful and a significantly poorer wine-growing year, and a timely rain could be the only thing standing between them and disaster.
