Finally, the rain is making a comeback on the Côte Vermeille! After months marked by a lack of water and a worrying drought, the skies have given the Banyuls and Collioure vineyards a long-awaited breath of fresh air.

At the end of February, the Cap Béar weather station recorded a cumulative rainfall of 92 mm. In comparison, it took until the end of March in 2024 to reach this amount. Proof that, even in our department of 66 , where the sun reigns supreme, the rain knows how to make itself heard at the right time.

Rain in the Pyrénées-Orientales, a wake-up call for the vines

This beneficial water arrives at just the right time. After winter, the vine slowly enters a key phase of its cycle: vegetative awakening. Thanks to this ideal alternation between rain and sun, photosynthesis fully begins. The result? Visible growth day after day: young vine shoots and leaves will grow several centimeters in just a few days!

For our young plants, this rainfall is a true blessing. By helping their roots establish themselves deeply, it gives them the strength they need to face the seasons to come. And for the plots in production, it allows the vines to begin their cycle in the best possible conditions.

Renewed hope despite persistent water shortages

Of course, while this rain has brought a smile back to the winegrowers' faces, it is still not enough to fill the water deficit accumulated over the years. Drought remains a reality in the Pyrénées-Orientales (66), and water management remains a major challenge.

But this period marks a turning point. The winter was wetter than the previous year, and if spring continues in this vein, we can hope for a promising vintage. Nature reminds us once again that it knows how to find its balance, and our winemakers, with patience and expertise, accompany it in this age-old rhythm.

GICB - Lands of the Templars