Severe storm devastates Dordogne vineyards with hail and flooding, destroying this year’s grape harvest

Heavy rain and hail caused significant damage to vineyards in the Dordogne region on Sunday afternoon, affecting at least 500 hectares in the Bergerac and Monbazillac areas. The storm struck on May 5 around 3 p.m., following a path from Pineuilh to Bergerac, according to Laurence Rival, president of the Bergerac and Duras wine federation.

Within minutes, intense rainfall led to severe mudslides that swept through streets and homes, stripping soil from many vineyard plots. In addition to the rain, large hailstones battered the vines. Rival reported that between 30 and 50 winegrowers lost their entire crop for the season. She explained that while the vines may recover and grow new leaves, the grape clusters are lost for this year’s harvest.

The hardest-hit communities include Saussignac, Gageac-et-Rouillac, Pomport—at the heart of the Monbazillac appellation—and Saint-Laurent-des-Vignes. Lionel Jourdas, deputy mayor and winegrower in Gageac-et-Rouillac, said that 45 millimeters of rain fell in less than half an hour, describing it as a “sheet of water.” He confirmed that all vineyards in his commune were affected.

In Pomport, Mayor Anthony Castaing expressed gratitude for the solidarity shown by local officials, winegrowers with their tractors, and residents who came out to help throughout the night. The community response included efforts to clear mud and support those whose properties were damaged.

Laurence Rival said she would contact the Departmental Directorate of Territories (DDT) on Monday to coordinate assistance for those affected by the storm. She noted that this response follows similar efforts after a recent frost event that also impacted local vineyards.

Other scattered storms were reported across parts of central and eastern France on Sunday, including Auvergne, northern Rhône-Alpes, and Côte-d'Or. However, the damage in Dordogne stands out due to its scale and impact on one of France’s well-known wine-producing regions. Local authorities and growers are now assessing losses and planning recovery efforts as they face another challenging season.