Chablis wine struggles amid extreme weather in France

The 2024 harvest at Domaine Roland Lavantureux winery in Chablis, France, faced significant challenges due to extreme weather conditions. The year has been marked by an unusually high amount of rainfall, leading to one of the wettest years on record. This followed several years of drought and heat that had already stressed vineyards. The harvest period was drastically shortened to just nine days, about half the usual time, due to unpredictable weather events including frost and hailstorms. The adverse conditions have resulted in severe crop losses, with estimates indicating a reduction of 60 to 65% in yield at the Lavantureux estate alone. The spread of a destructive mildew fungus, exacerbated by the excess moisture, has further complicated the situation, affecting both the quantity and quality of the wine produced. Overall production across France is expected to fall to 39.3 million hectoliters, which is significantly below both the previous year and the five-year average. Growers have expressed the mental and physical toll of this challenging year, as they navigate the impacts of climate change that have altered traditional weather patterns. The recurrent spring frosts and increased rainfall have made it difficult to predict and manage vineyard conditions effectively. Despite these challenges, the Lavantureux family remains hopeful, as two strong previous harvests in 2022 and 2023 may help offset the financial losses from the reduced 2024 yield. The international demand for Chablis, particularly in the United States, continues to provide some optimism for the future.