Grapevines, sensitive to even subtle changes in their environment, are under mounting pressure from the intensifying impacts of climate change. Traditionally reliant on stable temperatures and predictable seasons, grape growing is now an exercise in resilience and innovation. The wine industry is facing the challenge head-on, adopting new practices to adapt to wild weather swings, rising temperatures, and shifting rainfall patterns—ensuring vines can still thrive and wines maintain their quality.

Between soaring temperatures, prolonged droughts, torrential floods, hail, frost, and wildfires, wine regions worldwide are being reshaped. Recent data shows wildfires have doubled globally in the past 20 years, and the last decade was the warmest on record. Grapegrowers have become agile problem-solvers, constantly evolving to respond to unprecedented conditions.

Regenerating the vineyard from the ground up

Soil health has emerged as a crucial line of defense against the volatility of climate change. At Seghesio Family Vineyards in Sonoma County, viticulture director Ned Nuemiller explains the team’s shift toward regenerative agriculture. “We’ve seen everything—heat domes, drought, and flooding,” he says. “Our approach now is to build resilience.”

The vineyard employs a diverse mix of 20–30 cover crops to support soil structure, biodiversity, and moisture retention. A mulch blanket is used to reduce evaporation and help regulate vineyard temperatures. This pivot away from herbicides and conventional inputs has improved both soil health and water management. “We’ve moved away from a prescriptive model and now accept a living vineyard floor year-round,” Nuemiller adds. “It’s been transformative.”

At Honig Vineyard and Winery in Rutherford, California, sheep are part of the sustainability playbook. According to winegrowing director Kristin Belair, sheep graze cover crops ahead of budbreak, enriching the soil with natural fertilizer and minimizing the need for mechanized mowing. This approach enhances water retention, reduces erosion, and helps create a more vibrant and balanced ecosystem.

New vines, trellis systems, and forest buffers

In Italy’s Chianti Classico, Castello di Monsanto is addressing climate extremes with a long-term view. Proprietor Laura Bianchi recalls how recent extreme rainfall and heatwaves have led to challenges like landslides, mildew outbreaks, and uneven vine development. To adapt, the estate is investing in both traditional and forward-thinking solutions.

“We’re working with a vine nursery to grow new vines using the original Chardonnay clone planted in 1976,” says Bianchi. “These older vines are proving more resilient in today’s extreme conditions than those planted more recently.”

The estate’s surrounding forest—250 acres of it—is also vital to vineyard health. Acting as a natural buffer, it fosters biodiversity and provides a microclimate that supports vine stability. “This green belt is a veritable lung of enzymatic biodiversity,” Bianchi explains. “It generates a biological harmony that is indispensable to expressing the full terroir.”

Water management becomes central

With freshwater scarcity intensifying globally, water management has become a critical focus for wine producers. Nearly 2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water, and droughts are becoming more frequent and severe. In many European wine regions, irrigation is either tightly restricted or outright banned, making adaptation especially difficult.

In Spain’s Penedès region, Heredad Segura Viudas is feeling the strain. Although the winery has over 800 years of history, the past few decades have been among the most challenging. Director of production Josep Palau highlights how climate-induced weather extremes have pushed traditional farming methods to their limits.

Across the globe, more producers are installing advanced water catchment systems, exploring dry farming techniques, and enhancing soil health to improve water retention. These changes are not only about survival—they’re about maintaining wine quality in a changing world.

Resilience through reinvention

The impact of climate change on the wine industry is undeniable—and intensifying. Yet, the adaptability and innovation of growers offer a roadmap for resilience. Whether through regenerative agriculture, livestock integration, new grape clones, or creative water strategies, winemakers are proving that quality wine can still be made even under environmental stress.

The transition is not without cost, but it’s a necessary investment in the future of viticulture. As extreme weather continues to reshape global agriculture, winegrowers are cultivating more than grapes—they’re cultivating resilience. For producers and consumers alike, these efforts offer a powerful reminder that the future of wine depends on the choices we make today.