The Secret of the Moon: Why Do We Harvest at Night in Rueda?
If you happen to stroll through the fields of Rueda during the month of September, you might be surprised to see moving lights and activity in the vineyards under the blanket of the stars. This is not a whim; it is the night harvest, one of the most critical technical decisions to guarantee the quality of our finest white wines.
Enemy Number One: The Daytime Heat
The Verdejo grape is extremely sensitive to high temperatures and sunlight once it is separated from the vine. During the day in Castile, temperatures can soar above 30°C. Harvesting the grapes at that hour would trigger premature fermentation and the oxidation of the must before it even reaches the winery.
What Do We Gain from the Night Chill?
- Preservation of Aromas: The aromatic precursors of Verdejo (those hints of stone fruit and freshly cut grass) are volatile. The night cold keeps them intact within the grape.
- Energy Savings: When the grapes enter the winery at about 10°C-15°C, we don’t need to expend as much energy cooling the must, making the process more sustainable.
- Less Oxidation: At low temperatures, the activity of oxidative enzymes is drastically reduced, maintaining the wine’s bright and clean color.
Verdejo Excellence in the Heart of Rueda
The success of this process lies not only in the timing but also in the unique geological conditions of the D.O. Rueda. The “cascajoso” (stony) soils, rich in calcium and magnesium, force the Verdejo grape roots to grow deep in search of nutrients, granting the wine its highly prized minerality. By combining this terroir with the night harvest, we ensure that the aromatic profile—marked by notes of fennel, fresh grass, and stone fruits—is presented in its purest expression, avoiding any deviations caused by heat or unwanted fermentation.
Tradition and Vanguard in Every Bottle
Choosing a Rueda white wine harvested under the stars means choosing a product that respects the natural rhythm of the vine. At Bodegas Cerrosol, we understand that modernizing machinery for the night harvest is the perfect complement to our century-old winemaking tradition. This balance allows our Verdejos to reach the glass while maintaining their glyceric structure and characteristic natural acidity—elements that define the great wines of this Designation of Origin.
