Grape Harvest Underway Early this Year

"The drought and warm temperatures in recent months have forced Slovenia's winegrowers to start preparing for the grape harvest earlier than usual. The first winegrowers are set to begin the harvest in about a week's time, expecting a quality vintage, albeit in smaller quantities than usual. The head of the farm advisory service in Goriska Brda, the western region that ranks as one of the leaders in winegrowing in Slovenia, told STA that the harvest was set to begin at the end of next week. The first sorts to be harvested will be Chardonnay and White Pinot and Sivi Pinot, Goran Jakin said. According to Jakin, the harvest is starting three weeks ahead of schedule, which locals say is a first as far as they can remember. The winegrowers in Goriska Brda are expecting a good vintage, given that early vintages are usually better. However, the quantity is expected to be somewhat down on last year, Jakin said. " Source: STA