The volume of grapes produced and the average temperatures during the 2023–2024 and 2024–2025 seasons were very similar. Both harvests were slightly below the historical average in volume (by 8% and 5%, respectively, compared to the 2.09 million ton benchmark) and experienced higher-than-average temperatures. However, the 2025 harvest was earlier and was marked by a sharp increase in sugar levels during February, which accelerated the harvest of some red varieties. These had to be picked simultaneously with the white grapes. Particularly, the high-end plots with low yields and more restrictive soils reached ripeness sooner.
A shift in weather conditions at the end of February —with the arrival of cooler fronts and a couple of significant rainfalls in March— created a very different scenario for grapes that had not yet been harvested. From that point on, the increase in sugar levels and the drop in acidity slowed down considerably, extending the harvest window for red grapes into April. In the end, the overall quality of both white and red grapes was very good, so we expect to have wines of superior quality after aging —especially in Chardonnay, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec.
Phenology
The 2024/2025 season began with early bud break and a warm spring, which led to an advance in the following phenological stages.
Bud break occurred 5 to 10 days earlier than historical dates, with the typical 10–12 day gap between Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. This early growth, combined with rising temperatures in October, also translated into earlier ripening: 7 days ahead in Luján de Cuyo, 8 days in Gualtallary, and 14 days in El Cepillo.
This accelerated development continued into early summer, with veraison also occurring earlier —except in Los Indios, where veraison happened at the usual time, despite the earlier start to the cycle.
Harvest
This season’s harvest was significantly earlier for white varieties —by 7 to 10 days— and notably fast-paced. For example, the Chardonnay from Finca Aluvia was harvested even before its typical start date, in an effort to preserve freshness and natural acidity.
Red varieties followed the same pattern, advancing by 7 to 14 days in most cases, and up to 18 days in specific plots. One example is the Malbec from Los Indios, which began harvesting on February 20, while historically it starts around March 10. The same occurred with high-end plots in Finca Aluvia (Gualtallary), where harvest began on a record-early February 14.
Rainfall played a key role this season, causing a notable drop in sugar content in the berries by late February and early March. This slowed the harvest and resulted in what could be called a “second harvest,” extending the season’s duration.
Although climatic conditions were the main drivers of this early harvest, it’s worth noting that the decision to harvest sooner was not forced. Instead, it was based on the goal of producing fresher wines that better express the character of the terroir.
Monthly Temperatures
For the third consecutive year, we experienced a warm season, with average temperatures above historical records (20.8°C vs. 19.6°C). This was mainly due to two exceptionally hot months: October and February, while March and April were the only relatively cool months of the season.
Monthly Rainfall
When reviewing the entire season, rainfall was within the normal range based on historical metrics (190 mm vs. 175 mm). Spring began with abundant rainfall in October, which was offset by a markedly dry November. Summer precipitation (January to April) was close to the historical average (163 mm vs. 177 mm), thanks to heavy rains in March that balanced out the dry February. December, January, and April saw typical rainfall levels.
Grape Ripening
The 2025 season surprised us with advanced sugar levels in early February, which continued rising to reach 24° Brix by the end of the month at Finca Aluvia. This aligned with the phenological cycle and was also explained by higher summer temperatures recorded during this period.
However, rainfall around the end of February and early March reduced sugar concentration (see annexed chart), slowing accumulation —which never regained its initial pace.
In line with a warm summer, acidity declined steadily, leading us to harvest as soon as sugar levels and the maturity of other compounds reached adequate levels, aiming to preserve the grapes’ natural acidity as much as possible.
White Wines
This season’s white wines show interesting aromatic complexity, particularly in Chardonnay and Riesling, where spicy notes are well-balanced with each variety’s typical fruit profile. In the case of Sauvignon Blanc, the aromas leaned more towards minerality and tropical fruits compared to other vintages, showing fewer herbal (e.g., rue) and citrus notes. This could be attributed to the temperature conditions during February, when these grapes were harvested. On the palate, the wines display good concentration and a balanced interplay between freshness and richness.
Red Wines
As is often the case in warm summers, red grapes yielded expressive wines with pronounced fruit notes complemented by spice. Floral and herbal notes were less dominant—at least in the wines’ early stages—compared to other vintages. On the palate, the wines show generous presence, with medium-textured tannins tending more toward smoothness than power. Among all the reds, Cabernet Franc stood out in 2025, producing extraordinary wines with remarkable aromatic expression and impressive volume and mouthfeel
Conclusions
This season was complex due to shifting weather patterns, with exceptionally high temperatures in October and February. It could be described as having “two harvests in one”: the first, driven by consistently high temperatures and low rainfall between November and February 26, led to very healthy white grapes and high-quality wines. The same conditions also advanced the harvest of red plots with lower yields and more restrictive soils, producing wines with restrained alcohol levels but great personality.
A “second season” began after the rains of late February and early March, with grapes harvested later displaying greater aromatic and polyphenolic development, resulting in wines with more pronounced fruit character and a fuller, richer mouthfeel.
In summary, this season can be classified as very good overall, with some wines that we expect to classify as extraordinary if aging confirms our current end-of-season impressions.