Under the glow of headlamps and a moonlit sky, vineyard workers in Portugal’s Alentejo region carefully pick grape clusters while much of the country sleeps.

Known as the “Tuscany of Portugal” for its rolling vineyards, olive groves, and cork-producing forests, Alentejo’s cool autumn nights carry the scent of ripe fruit as workers laugh amid the rustling leaves. Night harvesting is a traditional viticulture practice designed to preserve grape freshness and shield the fruit from daytime heat, sunlight, and oxidation. With Portugal’s summers becoming hotter and more unpredictable due to climate change, nighttime harvests have grown increasingly common.

Bárbara Monteiro, co-owner of Herdade Da Fonte Santa vineyard, said night harvesting began in 2019. “Today, workers actually prefer this schedule,” she noted, as it allows them to avoid extreme heat and enjoy their days.

Daytime temperatures in August in Alentejo can reach 40°C (104°F), while nights drop as much as 20°C (36°F). Grapes are sensitive to heat, which can accelerate sugar accumulation, reduce flavor complexity, lower acidity, and trigger early fermentation. Harvesting at night helps lock in vibrant flavors, improving wine quality.

Foreman Vitor Lucas, 55, said he favors night work, even during warmer early-August nights. Around 3 a.m., workers pause for a traditional meal called “bucha,” featuring cheese, olives, chorizo, bread, and wine, before returning to the fields. The harvest generally concludes by September or October, when cooler nights make work easier.

“It's a harvest we truly enjoy,” Lucas said, reflecting the harmony of tradition and climate-conscious adaptation in Alentejo’s vineyards.

Source: AP