Harvest 2026: Ticino viticulture amid drought, market pressures, and new strategies

Heat, lack of rainfall, and a market that continues to show signs of difficulty. Ticino viticulture approaches the 2026 harvest while simultaneously grappling with the effects of climate change and the economic uncertainties that affect the entire wine industry around the world.

The picture that emerged during the meeting organized by Federviti in Tenero depicts a sector under increasing pressure, but one that views the current season with cautious optimism . Weather conditions have significantly accelerated grape ripening, leading to an early start to the harvest for some crops, while the Canton and industry organizations are developing a strategy that will impact the development of Ticino viticulture at least until 2030.

At the heart of the reflections are the quality of production, the economic sustainability of companies, adaptation to new climatic conditions and the need to maintain a balance between production and demand.

A year marked by drought

2026 is part of a trend toward seasons characterized by high temperatures, longer dry spells, and increasingly irregular rainfall. This situation isn't limited to grapevines, but has also affected several agricultural areas in the Canton.

The season began with limited rainfall and snowfall during the winter. The lack of precipitation continued into the following months, accompanied by periods of intense and prolonged heat. In the Mendrisiotto region, hailstorms at the beginning of June caused further difficulties, while rainfall remained limited in the following weeks.

For the vineyards, the lack of humidity had different consequences. On the one hand, the particularly dry climate reduced the risk of fungal diseases and promoted the ripening process. On the other, the increasing lack of water subjected the plants to severe water stress, requiring irrigation interventions in various situations to ensure both the development of the grapes and the health of the vines.

Harvest early, but quality will depend on ripeness

The weather conditions have led to an exceptionally early harvest. Harvesting has already begun for the grapes used for the sparkling wine bases, for the Bianco di Merlot, and for the earliest-ripening varieties.

For red wines, however, evaluation requires greater caution. Sugar content is only one of the factors to consider: to achieve satisfactory quality, it's also necessary to wait for the polyphenols to mature properly, which are essential for the structure, color, and organoleptic characteristics of wines.

According to Federviti President Davide Cadenazzi, if favorable conditions continue without further significant weather events, the conditions are in place for a quality harvest. This assessment, however, remains dependent on developments in the coming weeks and the vineyards' ability to cope with the prolonged period of water shortage.

Popillia japonica, over 25 million specimens captured

Among the critical issues facing the sector continues to be the spread of the Japanese beetle. The capture of over 25 million specimens confirms the scale of the phenomenon and the difficulty of containing an invasive insect that can affect numerous plant species.

Federviti emphasized the commitment made by the Canton and the Municipalities to combat neobiota, thanking the authorities for their work.

The question of the pressure exerted by ungulates on vineyards also remains open. The topic has received less attention this season, but not because the problem has diminished. According to Cadenazzi, the issue's diminished focus is rather due to the presence of other emergencies that have assumed an even greater burden for the sector.

The wine market and the value of the product

In addition to climate and agronomic management issues, Ticino viticulture faces a complex market environment. Weaker demand and uncertainties affecting producers and processors make it even more important to maintain economic conditions that can sustain the entire supply chain.

In this context, Federviti points out that, unlike what happened in other cantons, it was possible to define a shared price scale within the Interprofession of Vine and Wine and maintain the reference price of 4,20 francs per kilogram.

The association interprets this decision as a sign of continuity towards traders and, at the same time, as a tool to recognize the producers' work and contribute to the economic stability of the Ticino winemaking system.

The issue of prices is directly intertwined with the future of cultivated land. At a time when the market isn't growing enough to justify an indiscriminate expansion of production, the strategy identified by Cantone and Federviti aims to direct development toward investments deemed capable of generating greater added value.

Cantonal support and strengthened collaboration

Federviti expressed satisfaction with the collaboration with the Agriculture Section of the Economics Division, particularly for the work dedicated to developing tools to strengthen the sector.

Among the measures cited is an allocation of 20,000 francs to support the sector for the damage suffered. This is a modest sum, especially given the overall scale of the difficulties, but the association considers it a sign of concern, especially given the current state of cantonal finances.

The response to these challenges, however, isn't limited to immediate interventions. A key part of the strategy involves planning the development of viticulture in the coming years.

New criteria for plants until 2030

The new measure developed by Federviti and the Agriculture Section stipulates that until the end of 2030, the creation of new vineyards for wine production must be evaluated according to strategic criteria.

The goal is to avoid quantitative growth unsupported by real market needs and instead prioritize investments that can contribute to the quality, competitiveness, and sustainability of the sector in the medium and long term.

The decision is the result of discussions with supply chain organizations and comes at a time when producers and processors are faced with a slower demand. Controlling the expansion of vineyard areas is therefore considered one of the tools to protect the economic value of Ticino production and help maintain farm incomes.

"The goal is to guide the development of Ticino viticulture responsibly and consistently with the actual needs of the market," stated Davide Cadenazzi.

Along similar lines, Daniele Fumagalli, head of the Agriculture Section, advocates enhancing the quality of production, encouraging a gradual rebalancing of the market, and strengthening the sector's competitiveness over time.

The exceptions provided for by the new setting

The measure does not completely block interventions on vineyards. Reconstruction of existing areas and interventions in steeply sloping areas remain possible.

These vineyards, in fact, serve a purpose beyond wine production. The cultivated areas on the hills and terraces contribute to biodiversity and the preservation of the area's historic features, such as dry stone walls, pergolas, and small vineyard plots.

The new approach also allows for the creation of vineyards with varieties other than Merlot, provided they meet a concrete commercial demand. Diversification of supply is considered a potential opportunity for the sector, provided it does not occur at the expense of other agricultural activities or the territorial and cultural heritage associated with winemaking tradition.

Sustainability also comes from the ViSo Ticino project

The strategy up to 2030 is linked to the path already started through Sustainable Viticulture Ticino (ViSo Ticino) , a project supported by the Confederation, the Canton and the main organisations in the sector.

The program aims to encourage the evolution of production practices by reducing the use of pesticides, experimenting with and promoting more disease-tolerant grape varieties, and providing technical support to wineries.

Adapting Ticino viticulture to climate conditions and new environmental demands is thus a key aspect of the strategy. The 2026 season, with its combination of heat, drought, and extreme weather events, clearly demonstrates how changing climate conditions are impacting winemakers' daily decisions.

Quality instead of indiscriminate growth

The direction identified by Federviti and Cantone therefore appears to be based on a precise principle: in a period of uncertain demand, simply increasing cultivated areas is not necessarily an answer to the sector's difficulties.

The emphasis is on product quality, the ability to generate added value, the economic sustainability of companies, and the supply chain's ability to adapt to change.

The early harvest of 2026 represents an immediate test in this regard. On the one hand, there are conditions that could favor a qualitatively interesting vintage; on the other, the risks associated with drought and increasing meteorological instability remain.

Meanwhile, the strategy defined through 2030 aims to provide a more stable framework for companies. The stated goal is to address the sector's transformations not only through temporary interventions, but with planning that combines market needs, production protection, innovation, and sustainability.

For Ticino viticulture, the future therefore depends on a delicate balance: producing less, or at least avoiding producing more than the market can absorb, without sacrificing diversification and the ability to invest. This challenge will be played out simultaneously in the vineyards, in the cellars, and along the entire supply chain, as the climate continues to alter production times and conditions.