In Beaujolais this year, “our yields are at either end of the spectrum”

arly vintages in Beaujolais are renowned for their quality potential and 2025 is no exception. The heat spike over the first fortnight in August caused the fruit to ripen quickly. “We were concerned that we may have to rush to pick due to sugar accumulation in the berries, but the cooler weather that followed allowed us to delay the start of the harvest”, recounts Bertrand Chatelet, a consultant winemaker at Beaujolais’ viticulture and oenology research institute (SICAREX). Since then, the harvest season has stayed cool and there is sufficient water for the fruit to ripen slowly.

The Chardonnays were slightly earlier than the Gamays but for both reds and whites the trends are identical. Only yields are occasionally falling short. “The clusters are small with small berries due to the incidence of shot berries – that’s good for extraction but there is less juice”, adds Chatelet. “The vintage, though, is extremely promising, and more interesting than last year’s!”

In southern Beaujolais, Domaine Jean-Pierre Rivière had already harvested half of its eighteen hectares by September 1. “Our yields are at either end of the spectrum, with some blocks coming in at 35 hl/ha in the Crus and others for Crémant at 85hl/ha”, shares Jean-Pierre Rivière. Across the region, including the growths, average yields are expected to be in the range of “40 hl/ha at best”, adds the winegrower.