Following a very dry summer and autumn in 2011, winter brought rainfall nearly double the normal levels, restoring typical soil moisture reserves by the start of spring. Vegetative growth was vigorous until mid-spring, after which it slowed due to scarce rainfall—26% below the twenty-year average between September and December. In vineyards with low water-retention soils, irrigation became necessary from November onward. Water stress and high temperatures persisted until the start of harvest.

Between January and March, rainfall was 13% above average, concentrated mainly in the second half of February. Ripening advanced slowly but reached full completion, yielding wines with remarkable aromatic intensity and slightly lower alcohol levels than usual. The harvest was 24% larger than in 2010, beginning on February 1 with Sauvignon Blanc and concluding on March 28 with a Tannat from stony soils.