Ornellaia: an early 2026 harvest guided by each vineyard parcel

In Bolgheri, Ornellaia completed its harvest on 23 September, having started picking white varieties as early as 10 August. Following a warm, dry spring and timely rainfall in August and September, the vintage required constant attention to the progress of ripening.

Water reserves built up over winter played an essential role. Between November and February, almost 250 mm of rainfall replenished the soils ahead of a largely warm, dry spring, interrupted only by occasional rain and cooler temperatures in May. The return of high temperatures in June pointed towards a demanding summer in the vineyard.

According to the estate, several factors helped limit water stress: the soils’ ability to retain moisture, the age of the vines, and the teams’ work on soil and canopy management. Marco Balsimelli highlights how well the old vines responded to the conditions of the vintage.

Two spells of rain in August then provided further support as ripening progressed. “The right amount of rain, at the ideal moment”. This rainfall allowed the vines to enter the final part of the growing season in more favourable conditions, following concerns earlier in the summer. Picking of the white varieties began on 10 August. Despite the early start, initial observations in the cellar point to wines combining freshness, vibrancy and aromatic intensity, according to Marco Balsimelli. The first Merlot plots followed on 24 August, beginning a harvest paced by the ripening of each individual parcel.

September brought another change. Following rain on 10 and 11 September, nights became noticeably cooler, while days remained bright, with temperatures no higher than 28°C. According to the estate, these conditions encouraged gradual aromatic and phenolic ripening in the Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

In the cellar, Marco Balsimelli describes intense, surprisingly lively Merlots, Cabernet Francs with unctuosity and elegance, and Cabernet Sauvignons showing depth, structure and aromatic richness. These early impressions outline the wines’ profiles at this stage of their development. Completed on 23 September, the harvest underlines the importance of closely observing the vineyard: intervening when necessary, but also allowing the grapes time to reach maturity. For Ornellaia, 2026 was a vintage that demanded adaptability, in which an early start still called for patience.

To discover more about the estate, read our article on Ornellaia, available in the subscribers’ section. Our Ornellaia tasting notes and scores can also be found on VertdeVin.com.