"We anticipate high quality and average quantity for this harvest, provided the conditions we expect to be normal for this time of year are met," said the president of the CVRA, Luís Sequeira, quoted by the Lusa news agency.

With the harvest season in the region just beginning, the executive stressed that the CVRA forecasts a 20% increase in production compared to last year, approaching the average value recorded in the last five years in the Alentejo.

"We are forecasting 108 million litres," specified Luís Sequeira, recalling that the 2025 harvest in the Alentejo region "was particularly scarce," at around 80 million litres.

According to the president of CVRA, the estimate is based on a projection made in partnership with the University of Porto, along with information provided by producers.

Along with the increase in production, a "particularly significant harvest in qualitative terms" is expected, since the year "is going almost ideally" for this crop, with the grapes "in very healthy condition."

Affected by the climate

Using the popular proverb "it's harvest time until the baskets are washed," Luís Sequeira said that, although this estimate has a scientific basis, production forecasts "are always fallible."

"If we have very high temperatures in the coming weeks, which can even cause so-called sunburns, we can, with relative ease, reduce this forecast," he stressed.

According to the official, the harvests in Alentejo began, as usual, in Baixo Alentejo, with the harvest of white and sparkling grapes, but most producers in the region begin work "in earnest" around 15 August.

“The harvests will take place during August and September, and from then on, we will have the winemaking process,” he said, predicting that, unlike the reds, which “come later,” some whites could reach the market in early 2027.

New technologies

In this campaign, the representative revealed, new technologies will be tested, such as the pilot project for traceability of grapes from the vineyard to the winery using QR codes and another using satellite imagery.

Luís Sequeira added that, during the harvest, many producers in the Alentejo region promote programs aimed at wine lovers and tourists, such as tastings and nighttime grape harvesting.

The CVRA was created in 1989 and is responsible for the protection and defence of the Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) Alentejo and the Geographical Indication Alentejano, certification and control of origin and quality, promotion and fostering of sustainability.

Wine exports

The Alentejo region is the national leader in certified wines, accounting for approximately 40% of the total sales value across 14 wine-producing regions in Portugal.

With a vineyard area of ​​23,300 hectares, 30% of its production is destined for export to five main destinations: Brazil, Switzerland, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Poland.