Climate Change & Wine: How Your Favorite Regions Are Adapting

The Climate Crisis Comes to Wine Country

Climate change isn't a distant threat for the wine industry—it's happening now, transforming beloved wine regions and forcing winemakers to adapt or risk losing everything. From California's devastating wildfires to shifting harvest dates in Burgundy, from drought in South Africa to unprecedented heat waves in Germany, climate change is rewriting the rules of viticulture.

But this isn't just a story of crisis. It's also a story of innovation, resilience, and the remarkable ways winemakers worldwide are adapting to our changing climate through sustainable practices, new techniques, and a renewed commitment to environmental stewardship.

How Climate Change Is Transforming Wine Regions

Rising Temperatures & Shifting Harvest Dates

Across the globe, average temperatures in wine regions have risen 1-2°C over the past 50 years. This seemingly small change has profound effects:

Earlier Harvests: In Burgundy, harvest dates have shifted nearly two weeks earlier than they were 30 years ago. In California, some regions are harvesting 3-4 weeks earlier than historical norms.

Higher Alcohol Levels: Warmer temperatures mean grapes ripen faster and accumulate more sugar, resulting in wines with higher alcohol content—changing the traditional style of many classic wines.

Shifting Flavor Profiles: The delicate balance of acidity, sugar, and phenolic ripeness that defines regional wine styles is being disrupted, forcing winemakers to adapt their techniques.

Extreme Weather Events

Wildfires: California, Australia, and other regions face increasing wildfire risk. Smoke taint can ruin entire vintages, and the threat forces difficult decisions about when to harvest.

Drought: South Africa, Australia, and parts of California face severe water scarcity. Traditional irrigation practices are no longer sustainable.

Frost & Hail: Paradoxically, climate change brings both warming and increased weather volatility. Spring frosts and devastating hailstorms are becoming more common in regions like Burgundy and Champagne.

Flooding: Increased rainfall intensity leads to flooding, erosion, and disease pressure in vineyards from Germany to New Zealand.

Shifting Viticultural Boundaries

Traditional wine regions are becoming too warm for their signature grapes, while new regions are emerging:

Moving North: England's sparkling wine industry is thriving as temperatures warm. Scandinavia is planting experimental vineyards.

Moving to Higher Elevations: In California, Oregon, and elsewhere, vineyards are being planted at higher elevations to find cooler temperatures.

Changing Grape Varieties: Regions are experimenting with heat-tolerant varieties that would have been unthinkable decades ago.

How Winemakers Are Adapting: Sustainable Solutions

Organic & Biodynamic Farming

Sustainable farming practices aren't just good for the environment—they're essential for climate adaptation.

2021 Henschke Henry's Seven, Barossa Valley, South Australia - $48.99
This biodynamic and organic wine from a family-owned estate demonstrates how sustainable practices create resilient vineyards. Biodynamic farming builds soil health, increases water retention, and creates ecosystems that can better withstand climate stress.

Why It Matters: Organic and biodynamic practices eliminate synthetic chemicals, build soil carbon, improve water retention, and create biodiverse ecosystems that are more resilient to climate stress.

2019 Harth Cuvée Caroline Gewurztraminer, Alsace, France - $28.50
From Domaine Schoffit, this biodynamic and organic Gewurztraminer from Alsace shows how traditional regions are embracing sustainable practices to adapt to changing conditions.

Water Conservation & Drought Adaptation

In water-scarce regions, innovative irrigation and water management are critical.

South African Innovation: South African winemakers are leaders in water conservation, using drip irrigation, cover crops, and careful canopy management.

2021 Aslina Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, South Africa - $24.00
From Ntsiki Biyela, South Africa's first Black woman winemaker. This wine is produced with IPW (Integrated Production of Wine) certification, South Africa's comprehensive sustainability program addressing water use, biodiversity, and environmental impact.

NV Villiera Tradition Brut Sparkling, Stellenbosch, South Africa - $27.00
This biodynamic sparkling wine from a female co-owned estate with IPW certification and WIETA accreditation demonstrates comprehensive sustainability including water conservation and fair labor practices.

Regenerative Viticulture

Forward-thinking winemakers are going beyond sustainability to regenerative practices that actively improve the environment.

Cover Crops: Planting diverse cover crops between vine rows builds soil health, sequesters carbon, and improves water retention.

Biodiversity: Creating habitat for beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife creates balanced ecosystems that reduce pest pressure without chemicals.

Soil Health: Composting, minimal tillage, and natural amendments build living soils that can better withstand drought and extreme weather.

2016 Vinha Mãe Tinto Family Estate Red, Lisboa, Portugal - $43.00
This biodynamic and sustainably farmed wine from a family-owned, female winemaker-led estate in Portugal exemplifies regenerative viticulture practices.

Precision Viticulture & Technology

Technology helps winemakers adapt to changing conditions with precision and efficiency.

Weather Monitoring: Advanced weather stations and predictive models help winemakers make critical decisions about irrigation, harvest timing, and frost protection.

Soil Sensors: Real-time soil moisture monitoring optimizes irrigation, conserving water while maintaining vine health.

Drone Technology: Aerial imaging identifies stressed vines, disease pressure, and irrigation needs before problems become visible.

New Grape Varieties & Rootstocks

Adapting to climate change sometimes means rethinking what to plant.

Heat-Tolerant Varieties: Regions are experimenting with Mediterranean varieties like Grenache, Mourvèdre, and Vermentino that can handle higher temperatures.

Drought-Resistant Rootstocks: New rootstock selections improve drought tolerance while maintaining wine quality.

Hybrid Grapes: Disease-resistant hybrid varieties reduce the need for chemical treatments while tolerating climate stress.

Regional Adaptation Stories

California: Innovating Through Crisis

California faces multiple climate challenges: drought, wildfires, heat waves, and water scarcity. Winemakers are responding with:

• Dry farming techniques that eliminate irrigation
• Earlier harvest times to preserve acidity
• Smoke taint mitigation technologies
• Moving vineyards to cooler coastal areas and higher elevations
• Sustainable farming certifications

2018 RTR Sekt Extra Brut Sparkling, Finger Lakes, New York - $34.97
From Red Tail Ridge Winery, a LEED-certified vineyard with sustainable farming practices. This female-owned winery demonstrates how American producers are leading in environmental stewardship.

South Africa: Water Warriors

Facing severe drought, South African winemakers have become global leaders in water conservation and sustainable viticulture.

IPW Certification: South Africa's Integrated Production of Wine program is one of the world's most comprehensive sustainability certifications, addressing water use, energy, biodiversity, and social responsibility.

2018 Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Pinot Noir, Western Cape, South Africa - $55.00
From a Black woman-owned winery with IPW certification, this wine demonstrates how South African producers combine quality with environmental responsibility.

2016 Ataraxia Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge Pinot Noir, Western Cape, South Africa - $60.89
IPW-certified from one of South Africa's premier cool-climate regions, showing how sustainable practices support world-class winemaking.

Europe: Tradition Meets Innovation

European wine regions with centuries of tradition are adapting while preserving their heritage.

2019 Vouvray Les Clos AOP, Loire Valley, France - $55.00
Organic and vegan-friendly from a female co-owned estate. Loire Valley producers are embracing organic viticulture to adapt to changing conditions while maintaining their signature styles.

2016 Brunello di Montalcino DOCG, Tuscany, Italy - $87.00
Organic and sustainably farmed from one of Italy's most prestigious appellations, proving that traditional regions can maintain quality while embracing environmental stewardship.

2018 Begali Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Italy - $48.00
Organic and sustainably farmed from a female producer, this Amarone shows how even traditional, labor-intensive wine styles can be produced sustainably.

New Zealand: Sustainability as Standard

New Zealand has made sustainability the norm, with over 95% of vineyards certified sustainable.

2022 Pemper Pinot Noir Rosé, Marlborough, New Zealand - $24.50
From female winemaker Eva Pemper with sustainable farming practices. New Zealand's comprehensive sustainability program addresses climate adaptation, biodiversity, and social responsibility.

2022 Pemper Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand - $29.99
Sustainably farmed from a woman-owned winery, demonstrating New Zealand's leadership in environmental stewardship.

2022 Tohu Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand - $18.99
From a Maori minority-owned winery with sustainable farming practices and a female winemaker, showing how New Zealand combines indigenous knowledge with modern sustainability.

What You Can Do: Supporting Sustainable Wine

Look for Certifications

Organic: No synthetic pesticides, herbicides, or fertilizers. Builds soil health and protects water quality.

Biodynamic: Holistic farming that treats the vineyard as a living ecosystem. Often includes organic certification plus additional practices.

Sustainable Certifications: Programs like California Sustainable Winegrowing, IPW (South Africa), Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand, and others address comprehensive environmental and social responsibility.

Vegan: No animal products used in winemaking, often indicating broader environmental consciousness.

Choose Climate-Conscious Producers

Support wineries that are:

• Investing in renewable energy
• Reducing water use
• Building soil carbon
• Protecting biodiversity
• Using lightweight bottles to reduce shipping emissions
• Implementing regenerative practices

Explore Sustainable Wines from Our Collection

Organic & Biodynamic Wines:

• 2020 Domaine JB Cavalier Rouge, Languedoc, France - $18.50 (Biodynamic, female winemaker)
• 2016 Catherine Le Goeuil Cairanne, Rhône, France - $34.99 (Organic, female producer)
• 2020 Sicilia Annamaria Sala Rosso DOC, Sicily, Italy - $17.00 (Organic, female winemaker)

Sustainably Farmed Wines:

• 2021 Otto's Constant Dream Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, NZ - $15.99 (Certified sustainable)
• NV Flare Sparkling Moscato, Valencia, Spain - $18.00 (Sustainable farming)
• 2021 Bindi IL Colli Achille IGT Toscana Rosso, Italy - $21.00 (Biodynamic, sustainable, biodiverse)

IPW-Certified South African Wines:

• 2018 Ataraxia Serenity Red, Western Cape, South Africa - $42.00 (IPW certified)
• NV Villiera Tradition Brut Rosé, Stellenbosch, South Africa - $26.00 (Biodynamic, IPW, BEE Empowered, WIETA accredited)

The Future of Wine in a Changing Climate

Climate change presents existential challenges to the wine industry, but it's also driving unprecedented innovation and environmental stewardship. Winemakers worldwide are proving that adaptation is possible—and that sustainable practices can produce exceptional wines while protecting the planet.

The wines we choose to buy send a powerful message. When we support organic, biodynamic, and sustainably farmed wines, we're investing in:

• Healthier soils that sequester carbon
• Cleaner water and air
• Biodiverse ecosystems
• Resilient vineyards that can adapt to climate change
• A sustainable future for wine

Every bottle is a vote for the kind of wine industry—and world—we want to see.

Start Your Sustainable Wine Journey

Explore our curated selection of organic, biodynamic, and sustainably farmed wines from around the world. From affordable everyday bottles to premium collector wines, sustainable winemaking spans every price point and style.

The future of wine depends on the choices we make today. Choose wines that are good for you and good for the planet.

Continue reading: Black Women Winemakers Leading the Charge, Black Winemakers' Global Impact, and Supporting Black-Owned Wine Brands.