What price do winemakers receive for grapes in 2026?

The price of the grapes was maintained at 4.20 francs per kilo. However, as the grapes are smaller due to the summer climate, the grapes weigh less overall, reducing the total economic value of the harvest despite the excellent quality of the grapes themselves.

What was done to contain Popillia japonica in 2026?

The Canton has installed about 3,400 traps with the involvement of 71 Municipalities. By the end of July, about 25 million insects had already been caught. However, Federviti urges caution on the excessive use of chemical treatments, which could compromise the ecological balance of the vineyard built over the years.

Is there any aid for the winegrowers damaged by the hail of 9 June?

Yes, for the non-insurable damages, an aid of 20,000 francs was allocated to the winemakers affected by the violent hail that affected the Mendrisiotto on June 9, involving Castel San Pietro, Coldrerio, Morbio Inferiore and Vacallo, with damages estimated between 20 and 100%.

What was the rainfall deficit in Ticino between January and July 2026?

In Locarno, 533 millimeters of rain fell between January and July 2026, corresponding to 46% less than normal. The Mendrisiotto is confirmed as one of the areas most exposed to this climatic variability, with significant consequences on the water stress of the vines.

Droughts, pests and hailstorms: but we will have a golden wine (cross-border guide)

Di Redazione Frontaliere Ticino · Published on 20 August 2026

Vineyard landscape in Ticino during summer with grapevines under afternoon sun

The 2026 harvest promises to be among the best vintages, but drought, hail and pests put Ticino winemakers at risk

Context

In a nutshell

Harvest 2026: one of the best vintages in the last 20 years
From January to July Locarno had 46% less rain than normal
Hailstorm of 9 June hit the Mendrisiotto with damage from 20 to 100%
Popillia japonica: 25 million insects captured by the end of July

Key facts

What: 2026 harvest of excellent quality but with climatic and phytosanitary challenges
When: Harvest red grapes no earlier than 5-10 September 2026
Where: Ticino, especially Mendrisiotto (Castel San Pietro, Coldrerio, Morbio Inferiore, Vacallo)
Who: Federviti (president Davide Cadenazzi), Ticino winegrowers
Amount: Grape price CHF 4.20 per kilo; help CHF 20,000 for non-insurable damage
Rain: 533 mm between January and July in Locarno (46% below normal)
Pests: 3,400 traps installed in 71 municipalities

2026 could be one of the best vintages of the last twentyyears. The words of Davide Cadenazzi, president of Federviti, who has drawn up the balance sheet of a wine season that is as promising in terms of quality as it is complicated in many other aspects.

Because if the harvest promises to be excellent, the path to get there was far from simple. Drought, hail, pests, rising costs and an increasingly difficult wine market are the main challenges faced by Ticino winemakers.

# Extreme weather and uneven water distribution

The problem is not only the

Operational details

Quality grapes but reduced economic weight

And it is precisely here that one of the paradoxes of this season emerges. The climatic conditions have favoured the quality of the grapes, but the situation remains very heterogeneous from one area to another. The grapes are smaller and, as a result, the grapes weigh less. Not good news on the economic front: fewer kilos mean a lower value of the harvest, even if the price of the grapes has been maintained at 4.20 francs per kilo.

With a revision of the price scale, for winemakers the final bill is likely to be lighter. The paradox is obvious: the quality of the grapes is excellent, but the yield by weight reduces the overall gain. It is a concrete example of how climate change is transforming the economic margins of Ticino agriculture.

The challenge of irrigation in Mendrisiotto

The response to drought problems, in the future, could shift to new investments in irrigation systems. However, this presents a real obstacle: water must be found and, especially in some areas of Mendrisiotto, it is not available in sufficient quantities even in the aqueduct network. The experience of 2022 has already shown what the future scenario could be: a water outlet made available to winemakers and, in some cases, barrel wagons used to bring water directly to the vineyards.

These systems have already been tested in emergency situations,

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Key points

Collection history and phytosanitary controls

The harvest has already begun for sparkling wine bases, White Merlot and the earliest white varieties. For the reds, however, we will have to wait again. The concentration of sugars is already important, but it is not enough to establish the time of harvest: we will also have to wait for the polyphenolic maturation.

Considering that the flowering took place around May 25, the harvest of red grapes will hardly begin before September 5-10. This calendar is important for winemakers who need to plan labor and processing times. From a phytosanitary point of view, the prospects are optimal: the scarcity of precipitation has also made it possible to reduce the use of plant protection products. This is both an economic and environmental advantage, reducing treatment costs and limiting the chemical footprint on production.

What to do in the coming weeks

Winemakers who have suffered damage since the hailstorm of 9 June can still apply for cantonal aid of 20,000 francs for non-insurable damage. It is important to check with your local authorities the deadlines and methods for submitting applications.

With regard to Popillia japonica, it is essential to monitor the vineyards in the areas of Mendrisiotto indicated as most critical (Castel San Pietro, Coldrerio, Morbio Inferiore, Vacallo). The traps installed by the Canton in

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will the harvest of red grapes begin in 2026?: The harvest of red grapes will hardly begin before September 5-10, 2026, according to Davide Cadenazzi, president of Federviti. This is because, although the concentration of sugars is already important, it is necessary to wait for polyphenolic maturation. The flowering took place around May 25, so the timing follows the biological calendar of the plant.
What price do winemakers receive for grapes in 2026?: The price of the grapes was maintained at 4.20 francs per kilo. However, as the grapes are smaller due to the summer climate, the grapes weigh less overall, reducing the total economic value of the harvest despite the excellent quality of the grapes themselves.
What was done to contain Popillia japonica in 2026?: The Canton has installed about 3,400 traps with the involvement of 71 Municipalities. By the end of July, about 25 million insects had already been caught. However, Federviti urges caution on the excessive use of chemical treatments, which could compromise the ecological balance of the vineyard built over the years.
Is there any aid for the winegrowers damaged by the hail of 9 June?: Yes, for the non-insurable damages, an aid of 20,000 francs was allocated to the winemakers affected by the violent hail that affected the Mendrisiotto on June 9, involving Castel San Pietro, Coldrerio, Morbio Inferiore and Vacallo, with damages estimated between 20 and 100%.
What was the rainfall deficit in Ticino between January and July 2026?: In Locarno, 533 millimeters of rain fell between January and July 2026, corresponding to 46% less than normal. The Mendrisiotto is confirmed as one of the areas most exposed to this climatic variability, with significant consequences on the water stress of the vines.