When does the Jurançon grape harvest take place?

The grape harvest usually begins in mid-September and can continue until December. The dates vary depending on the ripeness of the grapes and the weather.

Why does the Jurançon grape harvest last several months?

Winegrowers harvest the grapes in several stages, depending on their ripeness. Bunches left on the vine for longer develop greater concentration.

Are Jurançon grapes harvested by hand?

Yes. The grapes are harvested by hand so that the bunches can be selected and their quality preserved on the sometimes steep slopes.

Is it possible to watch the grape harvest at a Jurançon vineyard?

Some vineyards welcome visitors during this period. Please contact the wine producer before you visit and respect the work areas and safety instructions.

Do you need to book a tour during the grape harvest?

Yes, booking is recommended. Winegrowers are very busy during the harvest, and opening hours vary depending on the estate and the weather conditions.

What is the difference between early harvests and late harvests?

The first harvests are used, in particular, to produce dry or sweet wines. Grapes harvested later produce more concentrated wines, with aromas of ripe or candied fruit.

Where can you experience the Jurançon grape harvest near Pau?

The Jurançon Wine Route winds its way through the hillsides to the south and west of Pau. Please check the visiting arrangements for each estate before you set off.

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Harvest 02 La Cave De Jurancon
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

The expertise of Jurançon Harvest time

Here we go! As September heralds the arrival of autumn, Pau and the Béarn region are bathed in golden hues… The grapes are ripe and the vineyards buzz with the sounds and bustle of the grape harvest. An intense and festive time that marks the Béarn Indian summer in the shadow of the Pyrenees. From October to December, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng take centre stage. Skilful grape-pickers, sorting the bunches, pressing… The grape juice rises to become a precious golden nectar, the wine of kings, the king of wines… This Jurançon, lively and delicate, rich and sweet, which we love to savour in the evening with a view of the Pyrenees!

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Vendange 12 La Cave De Jurancon
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon - Gan

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Grape harvest Cave De Jurancon 4
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

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Jurancon harvest 03 Pierre Carton
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Pierre Carton

The grape harvest in Jurançon

In Pau, it’s an Indian summer, whilst in the Jurançon appellation, harvest time has arrived! Carried out by hand, the harvest demands the full attention of the men and women who carefully sort and pick the finest bunches of grapes.

September–October: The first harvest is used to produce dry Jurançons and the lightest sweet white wines.
November–December: These grapes will yield less juice but more sugar, thanks to the gentle autumn sun and cooler nights. Allowing the grapes to dry on the vine results in fuller-bodied and more aromatic Jurançons.

Jurançon, the royal wine

Late harvest

The late harvest takes place from mid-November to the end of December, once the Föhn – that warm southerly wind – has blown and dried out the grapes. Wilted and sweet, they produce a concentrated, golden-yellow wine, aged for 24 months in oak barrels, with delicious aromas of dried and candied fruits, including walnuts, apricots, honey, gingerbread and quince paste!

It was not until 1996 that the Jurançon AOC was awarded the ‘Vendanges Tardives’ designation.

Wine-making in Jurançon From grape to bottle

The grapes arrive at the cellars in ‘douils’ (large 300-kg casks). The bunches are weighed and their sugar content measured. Each harvest is identified, destemmed, macerated and pressed. The juice obtained is then transferred to vats for fermentation for two or three weeks, during which time it is analysed, tasted and monitored, before being stored to age in vats. Each vintage, each estate and each wine has its own set of specifications that define its unique character. The wine’s maturation process concludes with bottling.

‘Bourret’ is the first grape juice pressed whilst still fermenting and is therefore slightly sparkling. Very low in alcohol, it delights many families in the Béarn region every autumn with its aromas of citrus and exotic fruits, and is a perfect accompaniment to a tasting of Pyrenean‘castagnes’(chestnuts)!

Fancy buying some Jurançon?

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Cave Gan Tonneaux
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

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Grape harvest Cave De Jurancon 6
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

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Harvest 03 La Cave De Jurancon
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

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Cave Jurancon Gan 08
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

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Vendange 06 La Cave De Jurancon
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

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Cave Jurancon Gan 07
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Catherine DUFAU

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Grape harvest 04 La Cave De Jurancon
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Cave coopérative de Jurançon – Gan

In the vineyards

During your walks or strolls through the vineyards, you’ll see the men and women hard at work creating the great wines of Jurançon.

During your visits to the cellars, feel free to ask them any questions you may have. Our winemakers and winegrowers will be delighted to share their passion for this great wine – one that is sometimes under-appreciated, but whose history is inextricably linked to that of our region!