Grape growers from the DOP Vinos de Gran Canaria have initiated the 2026 harvest. The first collection took place at the Los Azules estate, located in San Bartolomé de Tirajana, yielding approximately 340 kilograms of white grapes from the malvasía volcánica and albillo criollo varieties. This family vineyard, planted six years ago on the coast of El Tablero, is cultivated by viticulturist Adal Álvarez, who processes his grapes into wine at the Lava winery in Santa Brígida, one of the 30 wineries affiliated with the DOP.
The harvest is scheduled to continue until mid-October. Grapes from the Monte Lentiscal area are expected to be collected in late August, while those from the highlands and San Mateo will be harvested in late September and early October.
This year's weather conditions, characterized by abundant winter rainfall and fewer heatwaves, suggest a significantly larger harvest in terms of kilograms compared to 2025. Last year, the DOP recorded its worst harvest since records began, yielding around 170,000 kilograms of grapes, less than half of the previous year, due to drought and extreme heat.
Pedro Suárez, president of the DOP, estimates that production in 2026 could range between 300,000 and 400,000 kilograms, distributed among the 250 associated grape growers, provided that climatic conditions remain favorable.
Unlike other islands in the archipelago, such as Lanzarote, the grape harvest in Gran Canaria is not generally expected to start earlier this year, despite the heat, due to a more gradual ripening of the fruit.
Expectations for the 2027 harvest are even more optimistic, as vines are anticipated to fully recover from the effects of previous years' drought, and some recent plantations across the island are expected to yield their desired fruits by then.
