Château Troplong Mondot has begun harvesting its 2026 vintage, marking the earliest harvest in the Saint-Émilion estate’s history. The Premier Grand Cru Classé estate started picking grapes on 19 August, nine days earlier than in 2025, which had previously held the record for the earliest harvest start at the property.
According to the estate, a hot, dry summer has accelerated grape ripening, prompting an earlier start to ensure fruit freshness and balance. Aymeric de Gironde, CEO of Château Troplong Mondot, said: “The dry, hot summer has accelerated the ripening of the berries, which are now ready to be harvested. Our goal since 2017 has been to preserve the crispness, freshness, and elegance of our grapes, which is why we’ve chosen to start the harvest so early.
“At Troplong Mondot, the unique characteristics of our terroir protect us from drought and heat waves: our clay and limestone soils absorb water in the winter and can nourish the vines throughout the summer, even under extreme conditions. We have small, concentrated berries with plenty of juice. We can’t wait to taste the result – which looks very promising.”
The estate attributes its resilience to a long-term sustainability strategy. Herbicides were phased out more than two decades ago, insecticides were eliminated in 2010, and horses are now used to plough the entire vineyard to help protect soil structure.
Earlier this year, Troplong Mondot achieved B Corp certification, becoming one of only a small number of French wine estates to hold the accreditation. The winery was also the first in France to attain Silver Membership of the International Wineries for Climate Action (IWCA).
Alongside wine production, the estate welcomes visitors during the harvest period through its “Inside the Grape Harvest” experience. Running throughout the vintage season, the programme offers guests the opportunity to tour the vineyard, assess grape ripeness, observe fermentation and join the harvest team for a traditional post-harvest lunch.
Perched above the UNESCO-listed village of Saint-Émilion, Château Troplong Mondot is recognised for its fine wines, Michelin-starred restaurant Les Belles Perdrix and ongoing investment in sustainable viticulture.
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