véraison
Mourvèdre grapes changing colour at Tablas Creek in Paso Robles.
(Image credit: Tablas Creek)

What does it mean for the grapes...?

véraison

Tablas Creek, Paso Robles.
(Image credit: Credit Unknown)

What happens during véraison?

Véraison is an important moment in the growing cycle of wine grapes; when red grapes turn from green to dark, and when the grapes become sweet.

  • Scroll down to see grapes in véraison

It marks the beginning of the ripening phase for the grapes.

It’s currently happening in many vineyards across the northern hemisphere, and in a few months time, the grapes will be ripe and ready for harvest.

‘Reports of véraison have started to come in, and the upcoming warm weather will surely accelerate ripening. Crop size seems healthy, and we are hopeful for another outstanding vintage,’ said Matt Reid, winemaker at Benessere Vineyards in Napa Valley.

In southern hemisphere regions, like ones in South America and Australia, this happens around December, ahead of their harvest in the spring.

Below are a selection of photos from wineries of it in action, from California to Italy to England…

Bordeaux, France
(Image credit: Gavin Quinney, Château Bauduc)

Bordeaux, France

Merlot grapes changing colour at Château Bauduc in Bordeaux.

Paso Robles, California
(Image credit: Tablas Creek)

Paso Robles, California

Mourvèdre grapes changing colour at Tablas Creek in Paso Robles.

Kent, United Kingdom
(Image credit: Redhill Farm Estate)

Kent, United Kingdom

Grapes at Redhill Farm Estate in Kent, United Kingdom.

Barolo, Italy
(Image credit: Sordo Wine)

Barolo, Italy

Véraison in Barolo, Piedmont, at Sordo Wine Estate.

Cyprus
(Image credit: Evoinos, Ezousa Winery)

Cyprus

Maratheftiko grapes turning red at Ezousa Winery in Cyprus. Credit: Evoinos, Ezousa Winery.

Napa Valley, California
(Image credit: Geoff Hansen Photography)

Napa Valley, California

Grapes ripening and changing colour at Benessere Vineyards, in Napa Valley.

Beijing, China
(Image credit: Chateau Bo Long Bao)

Beijing, China

Nearly all of the grapes have changed colour here at Chateau Bo Long Bao, in Beijing.

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Ellie Douglas
Ellie Douglas
Digital Editor

Ellie Douglas is digital editor at Decanter.

She has worked at Decanter since 2013, when she joined as editorial assistant, then moving to the web team as assistant web editor in 2015.

Over her years at Decanter, Ellie has helped to significantly grow Decanter’s social media presence and with the launch of Decanter Premium in 2017.

She holds her WSET Level three in Wine, and in 2018 was shortlisted for PPA Digital Content Champion of the Year.