🍇 Veraison: when the grapes take on color

Summer is in full swing, and in the heart of our vineyards perched between sky and sea, a subtle but essential change is taking place. On the Grenache Noir vines, as in the photo taken this week, the green berries are slowly turning a deep purple. This phenomenon is veraison .

But concretely, what is veraison?

This is the moment when the vine transitions from growth to ripening. The grapes change color—from chlorophyll green to the characteristic hues of each grape variety. But it's not just an aesthetic change:
👉 the berries are starting to soften,
👉 they are loaded with sugars,
👉 the acidity gradually decreases,
👉 the aromas begin to form.

This is a strong signal for winegrowers: nature is entering its final stretch before the harvest .

A turning point in the vine cycle

At this stage, the vine is no longer developing new shoots. All its energy is now focused on its fruit. This is a delicate moment, as the weather over the next few weeks will play a crucial role in the final quality of the grapes.

In our vineyards, as close as possible to the natural rhythm

At Terres des Templiers, we carefully observe this transformation. On our terraced plots, clinging to the schist slopes of Banyuls and Collioure, each grape is the fruit of a delicate balance between the sun, the tramontane wind, the rock... and the hand of the winemaker.

Veraison marks the beginning of the countdown. And also, for us, a time of emotion: a year's work begins to take shape before our eyes.