Harvest 2024
A Year Full of Challenges for winegrowers in Goriška brda
This year was again full of challenges for winegrowers. The year started with heavy rains, followed by a warm spring. Just as the vines began budding, temperatures twice dropped below freezing, with frost on April 21st wiping out crops in the lower-lying vineyards. The weather was also wet and cold during the flowering period, when the vines are most vulnerable. Consequently, pollination was poor, which further contributed to the reduction in yield.
Although the yield was lower, the quality of the grapes is excellent.
High temperatures and humidity created ideal conditions for disease development, making vine protection a major challenge. Local hailstorms in July, followed by drought and temperatures exceeding 24°C in August, also took their toll. All of this resulted in the lowest yield in the past 30 years. Vineyards across Slovenia are facing significantly smaller harvests this year.
Climate change and extreme weather events have become the new reality, which winegrowers and winemakers have been confronting for several years. The vines are resilient, and winegrowers, in collaboration with experts, are finding effective ways to adapt to these challenges. Once again, it has been proven that winegrowers who closely follow the advice of the Klet Brda advisory service and adapt their vineyard practices based on recommendations from winter workshops, experience less yield loss.
QUANTITY AND QUALITY
The vineyard families of Klet Brda produced more than 40% less than expected and about one-third less than the average of the past three years. The smaller yield was caused by spring frost, unfavorable weather during flowering, July hail, drought, and high temperatures.
The smaller crop and dry weather during ripening resulted in excellent grape quality. Virtually the entire harvest meets the highest quality standards.
Among the varieties, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignonasse stand out, both showing pronounced varietal aromas. It is worth noting that Pinot Grigio from the 2023 vintage already stood out with its freshness and intense aromatics. This quality was carefully nurtured by the oenologists and cellar masters, and as a result, the 2023 Quercus Pinot Grigio earned 95 points at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2024, winning one of five Slovenian gold medals.
Despite the extreme weather conditions, Rebula once again proved its dominance in Brda by yielding the best results.
Klet Brda also has high hopes for the red varieties, which, thanks to smaller berries, achieved perfect tannin ripeness, high sugar levels, deep color, and distinctive varietal aromas.
HARVESTING PROCESS
This year, the harvest for base wines for sparkling wines began as early as August 20, the earliest in recent years, and the regular 2024 harvest officially started on August 23rd and concluded on September 19th with the picking of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.
Grape picking started at dawn, as working past 11 a.m. was impossible due to high temperatures. Klet Brda adjusted its grape reception schedule accordingly.
PRICES
Compared to last year, grape purchase prices will be higher this year.
For the standard program, the average purchase price per kilogram of grapes will be just over €0.90, while for premium programs and selected wines, the price will be at least €1.20. Grapes from the best, specially selected locations that show unique vineyard characteristics in addition to general parameters will be priced at €2.50 and above.
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION REMAINS A GUIDING PRINCIPLE FOR THE FUTURE
Sustainable production remains the main guiding principle at Klet Brda. The established system for predicting diseases and pests, along with effective communication between the advisory service and winegrowers, ensures reduced losses and high-quality grapes. Klet Brda will continue organizing winter workshops where winegrowers, in collaboration with experts, seek solutions to the ever-growing challenges of climate change. Key elements include proper soil preparation with the addition of humus, selecting drought-resistant rootstocks, soil cultivation aimed at preserving winter moisture, and training systems adapted to dry and hot summers.