News

Summer 2026 at Domaine Chapelle

24 July 2026

Veraison begins as harvest draws closer

With just a few weeks to go before the harvest, activity is intensifying at Domaine Chapelle & Fils. In the vineyards, the first signs of veraison are beginning to appear, while in the winery, we are already preparing for the arrival of the next vintage.

In the winery, the 2025 vintage will soon make way for the 2026 vintage.

We are currently in the midst of bottling the 2025 vintage.

This important stage gradually frees up the barrels in which the wines have continued to mature. They will then be ready to receive the new wines after the harvest. Even before the first grapes arrive, the winery must be prepared, the equipment organised and space made for the coming vintage.

While the 2025 wines complete this stage of their journey, the 2026 vintage continues its own in the vineyards.

A challenging season for the vines

Spring and early summer were marked by a significant lack of rainfall. The three periods of extreme heat and heatwaves that swept across France intensified the drought conditions in the soil and placed the vines under severe water stress.

Faced with a lack of water and high temperatures, the vines naturally slow their development to conserve their resources. Vegetative growth came to a halt in some plots, while berry growth also slowed.

Before veraison, the grapes are still green and firm, and remain in a growth phase. When water conditions become too challenging, this development can slow down and ripening may be delayed.

In mid-July, several thunderstorms accompanied by highly localised hailstorms swept across Burgundy. Fortunately, we were largely spared, and our plots were only minimally affected.

The rain brought by these storms, however, was particularly welcome. It gave the vines some respite and, in the days that followed, the first signs of veraison began to appear. Nevertheless, this rainfall remains insufficient to fully compensate for the accumulated deficit. Further rainfall would therefore be welcome to support the grapes throughout the rest of the ripening process.

The first signs of veraison

Veraison marks the transition from berry growth to ripening. In our Pinot Noir plots, the grapes are gradually beginning to change from green to red. For Chardonnay and Aligoté, the transformation is more subtle: the berries become softer and more translucent, gradually taking on a golden hue.

From this stage onwards, the grapes begin to accumulate more sugar, while their acidity evolves. However, veraison does not occur everywhere at the same time. It progresses gradually, depending on the grape variety, the plot, its exposure and the water reserves in each soil.

The coming weeks will therefore be crucial. We will closely monitor the health of the bunches, the development of the berries and the weather conditions in order to choose the right time to begin the harvest.

At present, we estimate that the harvest could begin between 20 and 25 August 2026. This timeframe is, of course, only indicative: as always, the vines and the weather will have the final say.

Harvest preparations are underway

At the Domaine, harvest preparations have already begun, and we are currently assembling our team of grape pickers.

The harvest is the culmination of an entire year’s work in the vineyards. It is an intense period, but also a shared and convivial experience, during which everyone contributes to the creation of the new vintage.

Would you like to take part in the 2026 harvest at Domaine Chapelle & Fils? You can fill in our application form now.

You will also find all the practical information in our article dedicated to recruitment for the 2026 harvest.

Summer opening hours

From 27 July to 16 August 2026, the tasting room will remain open to private customers at the following times:

• Wednesdays, from 1:00 pm to 5:30 pm
• Fridays, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Saturdays, from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm

We will be delighted to welcome you to the Domaine and introduce you to our wines during the summer season.

Wine shipments are currently suspended and will resume in September.

In the meantime, we will continue to monitor the vines closely during these final weeks before the harvest, as the story of the 2026 vintage continues to unfold.