In 2024, our vineyards received just 90 millimeters of rain throughout the entire year. This figure illustrates better than any graph just how climate change is transforming the way wine is made in Sicily.
In this article, we’ll discuss how climate change is impacting our viticulture, what we at Baglio Diar are doing as an organic producer, and we are going to conclude with a brief focus on our native grape varieties.
Climate Change Is Also Changing Wine
Over the past few decades, average temperatures have risen, and grapevines are following different growth patterns than in the past.
The harvest, for example, often begins several days earlier than it did a few years ago. The grapes ripen sooner and reach higher sugar concentrations, which affects the wine’s profile.
Added to this are increasingly extreme weather events: long months without rain can be followed by violent thunderstorms that put stress on the vines and the soil.
That’s why making organic wine today also means knowing how to adapt. It’s not about fighting nature, but working with it, seeking the right balance.
In our case, for example, there was a vintage—2024—in which 90 millimeters of rain fell over the course of the entire year. This drought, bordering on the extreme, led to an extraordinary drop in yields and, at the same time, to an extremely early ripening of the grapes.
We, who are generally already the first in Italy to begin the harvest, had to move it up by a full two weeks, starting to pick on July 17, with an overall drop in production of over 30%.
It All Starts with the Soil
When we talk about drought, we immediately think of the soil.
Soil rich in organic matter acts like a sponge: it absorbs water when it rains and slowly releases it to the roots during drier periods.
That’s why, in our vineyards between Marsala, Trapani, Salemi, and Mazara del Vallo, we devote great attention to soil health.
One of the practices we use, for example, is planting field beans, a legume with a valuable ability: thanks to the bacteria present in its roots, it naturally fixes nitrogen from the air and makes it available to the soil.
Once plowed under, the field beans enrich the soil with organic matter, improve its structure, and help it retain moisture more effectively. It’s a small step that yields significant and lasting benefits, without resorting to chemical fertilizers.
For us, organic farming starts right here: building healthy soil capable of sustaining the vines even here.
Protecting the Vines from the Sun
When the heat becomes intense, even the plant needs help.
That’s why canopy management is one of the most important tasks in the vineyard. The leaves aren’t just for photosynthesis—they also act as a natural umbrella that protects the grape clusters from direct sunlight.
Balanced pruning allows air to circulate without overexposing the berries, reducing the risk of sunburn and ensuring more even ripening.
Native Grape Varieties in the Face of Climate Change
Climate change forces us to make new choices, but it also reminds us of the value of what we’ve always had.
Sicily’s native grape varieties—such as Grillo, Catarratto, Inzolia, Zibibbo, Nero d’Avola, and Perricone—are the result of centuries of adaptation to the Mediterranean climate. They learned to coexist with the sun, the wind, and water scarcity long before anyone began talking about climate change.
That is why today they represent a precious resource for the future of Sicilian wine.
Another important aspect concerns yields. In the past, producing more was often considered the main goal. Today, quality also depends on the ability to accept lower yields, allowing the vine to maintain its balance and best express the terroir.
Climate change poses a huge challenge for organic wine producers in Sicily. We can’t control the weather, but we can choose every day how to care for the soil, the vines, and biodiversity.
It is from these daily choices that the character of our wines emerges.
If you’d like to learn more about our approach to organic Sicilian wine, visit our online store and discover our wines.