The Spanish wine industry is grappling with increasingly severe drought conditions, prompting urgent discussions on sustainable water management.
At
Barcelona Wine Week, industry leaders convened to assess the long-term viability of vineyard irrigation and adaptation strategies. At the same time, Diego Pinilla, chief oenologist at Raventós Codorníu, outlined the challenges and solutions specific to Cava production in an exclusive interview with
the drinks business.
Drought’s impact on Spanish wine production
Spain has suffered from prolonged drought for three consecutive years, with varying effects across regions. Catalonia, home to the Cava-producing areas of Penedès and Raimat, has seen its vineyards struggle under extreme water scarcity.
"The impact of the drought has been widespread, particularly in Catalonia and even across Spain," said Pinilla. "In the Cava region, the effect on our production has been relatively limited because around 50% of our grapes come from irrigated vineyards in Raimat, where we control our own vineyard operations. However, the remaining 50% from the Penedès region has suffered reduced yields, which has driven up grape prices."
Despite these difficulties, Pinilla pointed out that
Raventós Codorníu has managed to maintain a stable supply of Cava. Elsewhere, however, the picture is more concerning. "Regions like Rioja and Ribera del Duero, which primarily produce red wines, have also faced a challenging vintage, though their historically high stock levels have helped cushion the impact," he added.
In the roundtable, Ángel Anocibar, head of Abadía Retuerta described the current situation as "dramatic", both in terms of water availability and rising temperatures. As evidence, he cited a 1.8C increase in the winery's temperature (DO Ribera del Duero) from 1968-2022. "As a result, harvest has shifted from late October to late August," he continued.
A regulatory framework in need of reform?
Highlighting the crucial role of water in maximising yield and quality each vintage, Carlos Moro, founder and president of Bodegas Familiares Matarromera, opposed the strategy of stressing the vineyard, "to achieve the highest quality, we need greater water availability," he said.
While irrigation is often considered a solution, it is not universally accessible. "The ability to irrigate is not dictated by the appellation but by water availability and usage rights," Pinilla explained. "Drought is cyclical — we've faced it before and we will face it again. But over the past decade, yields have steadily declined, making grape production increasingly difficult."
Pinilla called for greater financial support from the government to help growers invest in irrigation infrastructure. "Setting up irrigation systems requires significant investment. It’s not just about water availability; climate change has fundamentally altered growing conditions, with rising temperatures, earlier harvests and shifting ripeness levels. We need a long-term approach."
Adapting through rootstocks and grape varieties
One of the most promising adaptation strategies lies in varietal selection and vineyard management. "In Rioja, for example, Tempranillo used to dominate in the north, but with changing climatic conditions, Graciano — a long-cycle variety that ripens later — is now thriving," said Pinilla. "Similarly, in Priorat, we are reconsidering Monastrell. For Cava, we are re-evaluating Macabeo."
Pinilla stressed that meaningful viticulture research requires collaboration: "One company alone cannot conduct sufficient trials. We need a concerted effort from producers and academic institutions to explore sustainable adaptations."
Lessons from other wine regions
Global viticultural challenges offer valuable lessons for Spain. "Historically, vines were grown without irrigation in many regions, but that’s becoming increasingly difficult," said Pinilla. "Look at Argentina — you cannot grow vines there without irrigation. Some parts of Spain are heading in the same direction. We are rethinking irrigation strategies, selecting more suitable varieties and planting at higher elevations where it’s cooler. But these changes take time."
Sustainability vs practicality
Water scarcity presents an apparent contradiction to sustainability goals. However, Pinilla believes the two can be reconciled. "Sustainability must be practical. If a vineyard cannot produce grapes, it is no longer sustainable. The key is to use water responsibly and efficiently. Vines require significantly less water than many other crops — up to eight times less than almonds or corn, for example."
At Raventós Codorníu, sustainability initiatives extend beyond water management. "We have implemented gravity-fed irrigation systems across our 2,000 hectares of vineyards, eliminating the need for pumps and reducing electricity consumption. We also use photovoltaic energy, biomass for heat generation and have optimised our cooling systems for energy efficiency. Our vineyards are 100% organic. We’re not perfect, but we are continuously working towards more sustainable practices."
The future of Spanish wine in a changing climate
The roundtable at Barcelona Wine Week stressed the urgency of water management in viticulture. With climate change intensifying drought conditions, the industry must embrace a holistic approach that includes irrigation, varietal adaptation and sustainability initiatives.
"We need to be proactive. The way we grow grapes today will not be the way we grow them in 20 years," Pinilla concluded. "The challenge is significant, but so are the opportunities to innovate."
