Portuguese Estate Moves Grape Harvesting into the Night

Euronews reports that Herdade das Servas in Portugal’s Alentejo region has adopted night harvesting to protect workers from extreme daytime heat. Initially tested in 2024, the practice became standard last year, with pickers using lights mounted on their heads and tractors. Winemaker Renato Neves expects more producers to follow as daytime temperatures reach 40–42°C, making conventional harvesting increasingly difficult. The report illustrates how hotter summers are changing vineyard working practices.