A pressurized start to the season
The spring of 2024 was not an easy one for the Domaine Uma team. Abundant rainfall in April and May created heavy mildew pressure on the vines. This fungal disease, dreaded by winegrowers, can have disastrous consequences on the harvest if left unchecked. Fortunately, thanks to rigorous management and the hard work of the entire technical team, the situation was contained, and the vines came through this delicate period without too much damage.
The team's vigilance and know-how enabled us to preserve the harvest potential, despite the initially unfavorable weather conditions. Controlling mildew is a perfect example of the importance of daily work in the vineyard, well before the actual harvest.
A turning point on August 15
If the start of the season was complicated, one event changed all that: the rain of August 15. This providential rainfall restored vigor to the vines, enabling the grapes to reach optimum ripeness. Not only did the rain save some of the yields, it also helped improve the quality of the grapes.
The result: a 20% increase in the harvest compared with previous years, a remarkable achievement after the challenges of spring. This increase in production testifies not only to a year well-paced by the elements, but also to the terroir's ability to react positively when conditions are right.
A historic first harvest
The year 2024 will also go down in the annals of Domaine Uma for a very special reason: the first harvest of young planters of Fiano, Petit Manseng and Vermentino. These varieties, planted when the Domaine took over in 2021, produced their first grapes this year. This is a key moment for the estate, as it sees the culmination of the replanting and innovation work carried out over the last three years.
These three grape varieties, well adapted to the Mediterranean climate, bring additional diversity to Domaine Uma's vineyards. Fiano, originally from Italy, is appreciated for its ability to produce complex, aromatic white wines. Petit Manseng, on the other hand, is typical of south-western France, renowned for its intense aromas and resistance to hot climates. Finally, Vermentino, widely planted in Corsica and Italy, is another white grape distinguished by its freshness and liveliness.
These first harvested grapes mark a new stage in the evolution of Domaine Uma, in line with the vision of diversification and quality put in place since 2021.
A promising 2024 vintage
Beyond yields, it's above all the quality and potential of the grapes that are the focus of attention this year. The cellar teams are unanimous: the grapes returned to the cellar are of remarkable quality. Their health is excellent, and the ripeness achieved is perfectly in line with the winemaking objectives.
All these factors point to a very fine 2024 vintage. Whether for the whites from the new grape varieties or for the estate's traditional reds, the prospects are exciting. The first cuvées from these harvests should be available from next year, and they promise to delight Domaine Uma wine lovers.
See you in 2025
The 2024 harvest will go down in the history of Domaine Uma, as much for the first harvest of young vines as for the resilience shown by the team in the face of climatic hazards. With rising yields and exceptional grape quality, this vintage promises to become a benchmark. Fans of the estate's wines will be able to discover the first bottles from this harvest as early as 2025, when they go on sale.
In the meantime, the Domaine Uma team continues to watch over its wines in the cellar, ready to sublimate this promising vintage.