Harvest Report 2025

~ Vineyards at Castell’in Villa are off to the races ~

Harvest Report Update – September 11, 2025

Well, if two weeks was a lot of time, even more has happened in the last three.  But before I get into the images that have come in this week, let me back track with an update on the general conditions of the harvest.

This week I received a Press Release from the Consorzio Brunello.  It confirmed much of what I’ve been discussing over the last few months.  At least in the Montalcino area and surrounding Brunello environs, 2025 is shaping up to be an excellent vintage.  There has been a degree of damage from hail – though scattered but there has not been any reports of frost this year.  While many producers fences to deter the animals, there are still widespread impacts from deer and cinghiale.  There has also been some impact from the high temperatures, though at least the spikes were not too lengthy.

Overall, the quality is expected to be very high, while the production levels will be reduced.  Producers are picking as I write, and we will see how the “Brunello Forma” will ultimately describe the vintage.

Today we’ll start in Piedmont with an update from Chiara Boschis.  While Nebbiolo continues to ripen, she has brought in some amazing Dolcetto and Barbera todate.

~ Chiara showing off her Dolcetto this past week ~ 

I’ve known Chiara for quite a while now and I don’t think I’ve ever seen her as excited about this years Dolcetto. We will need to stay abreast of that.   Now, moving over to another Chiara – Condello from Emilia Romagna.   She has begun bringing in Sangiovese.

~ The team at Chiara Condello manually inspected Sangiovese berries on September 8th ~

But as you can see – the team goes lot by lot. These excellent looking grapes were still hanging.  Though they may not be any longer.

~ Gorgeous Sangiovese and you can see the uncultivated flowers and weeds between the vine rows ~ 

Moving to Tuscany, many if not most producers have completely harvested their white varieties. Trebbiano, Pinot Grigio, Vermentino, all in.  Vernaccia is still ongoing in some spots.  Merlot is in, Sangiovese is coming in for Rosato and dry reds depending on the vineyard location, elevation, etc.  Likely by the time the Rustic Tuscany Tour kicks off, everyone will have harvested except those at the highest elevations. (i.e. Lamole di Lamole)

~ Sangiovese Grosso at Casa Raia – look closely. These vines are full and all the clusters are shaded by the canopy ~ 

Here is a close up of Casa Raia’s Sangiovese Grosso.

~ Sangiovese Grosso on September 8th ~

Next are two more pictures from two additional Brunello producers; Le Ragnaie and Cupano.  Both are near the top of the zone near to Montalcino Centro.  Le Ragnaie began harvesting this week as did Cupano, which is closer to the Montosoli area.

~ Riccardo Campinoti’s Team prep Sangiovese on the sorting table ~ 

And from our friends at Cupano, this handful of luscious looking grapes.

~ It doesn’t get to look much better. I would love to taste ~

That is going to do it for this update.  The next update will be on my Social Media outlets and come directly from Tuscany during the upcoming Rustic Tuscany Tour.  Stay tuned to my outlets on Twitter (X), Facebook and Instagram.   Salute!

~ End of Update ~

Harvest Report Update – August 22, 2025

Two weeks was a lot.  Almost a month and we have had some major progress, including white grapes being harvested.  A lot of new pictures have been sent in, so let’s get to it!

The first two images were sent in by Chiara Boschis and show fruit from the famed Cannubi vineyard. These Nebbiolo grapes look wonderful, but you can see from the ground how dry conditions have been.  You can also see the anti deer netting that’s in place as well as the shade provided by the canopy.

~ This is Nebbiolo hanging at Cannubi on August 7th ~

The next image is also Cannubi.  Again, this is a great image of the deer netting.  You can also see that Chiara has performed her first “green harvest” and dropped fruit from the vine.  Hopefully these will satisfy the deer and boar.

~ In addition to the netting, you can also see the “baffles” around the vine trunks. These are to prevent fruit and leaf eating insects from crawling up the vine ~

Moving down to Tuscany, but west of Firenze, to Carmignano.  This excellent looking Colorino is coming along nicely.  Sent in my Enrico Pierazzuoli who has estates in Chianti and Carmignano.

~ Colorino provides depth of color to blended wines, particularly with Sangiovese. It’s sparse cluster is a trademark of the variety. ~

This amazing image was sent in from our friends at Castello Banfi – “patrolling the vines” and testing brix – this is a great view of the Castello Poggio alle Mura from the vineyards.

~ Castello Banfi from vineyards: Note the grasses kept between the vine rows. These serve as both water retention and are later plowed under for green fertilizer ~

We will stay in Montalcino for an update from Cupano.  Check out this Sangiovese Grosso!

~ This is a perfect cluster of Sangiovese! ~

And so is this.  Both of these images were taken this past week – on Monday the 18th.

~ Sangiovese Grosso hanging at Cupano, Montalcino ~

While Montalcino continues to wait, our friends down in Maremma have been harvesting white varietals this past week.   The first two pictures are from Fattoria Le Pupille – a perennial stop on the Rustic Tuscany Tour.  They are bringing in Sauvignon Blanc.

~ Sauvignon Blanc at Fattoria Le Pupille ~

~ Manual Harvesting taking place. Note the Kaolin on the vine leaves and the way the grapes hang at the bottom, under the canopy of foliage ~

Also in Maremma, we visit with Giacomo Satta who is also bringing in white grapes this week.  Of course, he sent his traditional, annual picture too….

~ Grapes arriving at the crush pad at Michele Satta ~

And what has become an annual ritual….

~ Winemaker Giacomo Satta ~

In Castelnuovo Berardenga, Chianti Classico’s lowest appellation, the Sangiovese are progressing very well.  In speaking with Riccardo Losi, the weather has been “good”.  There have been set backs, but nothing too severe. The main issue is heat and animals.  But they are anticipating and excellent vintage.

~ Sangiovese hanging at Querciavalle on August 18th ~

Our last image for this update takes us to Sardinia!  Fabio Angius, the winemaker from Pala sent in this image of hand harvesting white grapes.  This is Vermentino being picked on August 19th.

~ Vermentino harvest at Pala, Sardinia ~

With that, we’ll bring the curtain down on this update.  Harvest 2025 looks very good for the white grapes coming in.  For reds, as we soon turn the calendar to September, the remaining weeks will hold the key.  By the time the Rustic Tuscany Tour kicks off on the 18th,  I suspect many will be harvesting.  My guests will likely see things in action!

~ END OF UPDATE ~

Harvest Report Update – July 29, 2025

Two weeks is all it takes. When this article published originally, there was nary a grape turning color.  Now we are truly off to the races.  While the first installment of this year’s coverage dealt mainly with weather issues and pests, we are now talking about excellent looking grapes.

But before I dive into the update, let’s chat a bit about the weather.  After the high heat of June, the weather pattern largely returned to normal to start July.  Rains were replenishing in many areas but again, there was some hail storm damage, mainly in Chianti Classico. Fortunately it wasn’t wide spread.  Now as the calendar prepares to turn to August, it has gotten hotter, but not yet unevenly so.   Finally, this installment has data points from several areas across Italy.  Andiamo!

From our friend Chiara Condello, this shot comes in from Emilia Romagna.  Her Predappio Sangiovese is beginning invaiatura.

~ In this image you can also see remnants of kaolin on the foliage of the vine ~

Continuing further North to the Trentino Alto-Adige,  our friend Anselmo sent in the below shot of Merlot ripening nicely.  San Leonardo makes an excellent array of wines from Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc and Carmenere.  They are classically styled in the Bordelaise realm.

~ Tenuta San Leonardo ~

Now back to Toscana!

~ Returning to Montalcino, where Cupano has begun seeing invaiatura take hold. This was from July 21st ~

Staying for a moment in Montalcino, this is an interesting shot from my friend Riccardo over at Talenti. Why?  Because Talenti’s vineyards are fairly high up heading toward the center of town.  These are pretty far along given the elevation.

~ Another good image of Sangiovese turning color at Talenti. This is also a good illustration of the canopy being used to shield the grapes ~

Next are a series of images sent in by Elisa Fanti.  Fanti has vineyards very close to their winery, but they also have some further south, near the Orcia river.  That’s not a far ride at all, mind you.  But even in that distance both further south and at a slightly lower elevation, you can notice a progression in the grapes.

~ This vineyard is close to the winery. Note the heavy canopy shading the grapes ~

~ Again, we see kaolin – but note the ripening has not started yet ~

~ These clusters have just begun ripening. This was from Fanti on July 19th ~

Now we will look at the photos sent by Elisa from the Orcia river area.

~ Nothing from this cluster yet – but again, the shade ~

~ These have begun turning ~

As have these……….

~ This Sangiovese looks really great ~

Now we’ll ping back to Chianti Classico – to Castelnuovo Berardenga.  The shot below from Valeria Losi was from July 17th.

~ This was earlier in July, but this is Sangiovese at Losi ~

Next we hop back to Brunello and Il Palazzone – high up at the winery and Le Due Porte.

~ Truly one of the most picturesque vineyards in Montalcino ~

But it is high up…..no ripening here as of July 15th.

~ Sangiovese at Il Palazzone ~

Before leaving Tuscany for one last stop, we will hit Campochiarenti along the way.  He’s seeing some nice progression on this Sangiovese and you can also note the netting surrounding the vines – protection against the deer.

~ Campochiarenti Sangiovese ~

Finally – we head over to Piemonte for our first look from Chiara Boschis.  This is her Dolcetto ripening nicely.  It will be a while before we start seeing the mercurial Nebbiolo begin to turn…

~ Dolcetto hanging on July 24th ~

Well, that will end this update!  Let’s keep fingers crossed for a moderate, even August. Right now, things look good – but there is a long way to go.

~ END OF UPDATE ~

Once again, it’s that time of year!  And as they say, only two people are undefeated;  Father Time and Mother Nature.  Across Italy, vineyards have awoken and fruit set has been accomplished.  As of this writing in early July, invaiatura has begun in some of the more southern vineyards.

As with previous years,  this article will be updated as conditions warrant.  I will be getting “on the ground” up to date photos and winemaker commentary to share. When I get it, you’ll have it.

We are off!

Harvest Report 2025 – Early Vintage Character 

In what seems to be a recurring, if not normal weather pattern,  Spring across Tuscany started with a mixed bag of challenges.  In many areas, bud break started in a timely fashion but it was advanced in some vineyards.  Frost is the main concern when that happens and there was scattered damage to vineyards in April.  However, this was not as widespread as previous Springs.

When June arrived, so did the heat.  The rains from Winter and those that occurred during Spring moderated that impact.  But the heat continued into July.

~ This is a graph of temperature and humidity near San Gimignano on July 1, 2025. Temperature is in C ~

While frost damage was mainly avoided, as recently as this past week a series of storms rolled across Tuscany and hail was observed from Montalcino and Sant’Angelo in Colle, to Sant’Antimo, Castellina and Poggibonsi.  Damage was not severe, but it was widespread.

~ Unfortunately, this is the result of hail – destroyed clusters. Hopefully the deer will eat these instead of pristine grapes. Maybe? ~

Here is another image sent in by Daniele Rosti, of Campochiarenti.   More hail damage, but localized, even down to the individual rows.

~ As you can see, this cluster isn’t nearly as bad. But once the damage is done, it won’t be long before disease sets in ~

This morning I was chatting with Elisa Fanti.  She confirmed that Tenuta Fanti incurred some hail damage as well- as she called it “this is the new world.”   We discussed the heat in June and she said while it was very hot (sometimes 40 degrees) the rains from the Spring helped the vines in that period.  Now temperatures have moderated (30-32) and things are going well.

From speaking with my maven on the ground, Laura Gray, she said one of the main concerns, especially during June,  was the lack of diurnal temperature swings between day and night.  This, coupled with “hot winds” were making ventilation and night time cooling of vineyards almost non-existent.  That too, has moderated.  Elisa Fanti said night time temperatures are back down to 18-20 degrees.

Now for some good news.  Look at the gorgeous Sangiovese at Campochiarenti.  Let’s talk about this image below a bit more.

~ Campochiarenti Sangiovese: 7/6/25 ~

To a lesser observer, this appears to be nothing more than wild untrimmed grass and a grapevine. But, as has been said by Kings and Queens,  I am not a lesser observer.  So, what do we see here?  The grass is kept long.  Grass absorbs water.  This helps with both drought and excess rain.  Secondly, note the canopy of leaves being kept intact to shield the grapes from sunburn.  Finally, in the next image, you can see that kaolin has been sprayed on the leaves.

~ The white dots on the leaves are Kaolin, an organic compound that reflects the heat off the leaves ~

One of the main stops on the Rustic Tuscany Tour is Poggio Stenti in Montecucco.  This dominant oak standing over one of their Sangiovese vineyards is a serene setting.  It’s a great spot for pictures.

~ Poggio Stenti makes wonderful, affordable wines and one of the best Vermentino I’ve had ~

The next image is an example of canopy management gone wrong.  It’s almost impossible to conceive of such a mistake in this day and age, but it still happens.  This shot was captured by friend Federica Bovassi on July 5th.

~ These grapes have been sun-burned. They are ruined. The parts of the berry directly facing the sun are totally burnt ~

Here’s another look at this phenomenon.

~ Will the deer eat these? Who knows ?  ~

But again, some good news as we turn back toward Montalcino.  The beginnings of “invaiatura” in some of Castello Banfi’s lower lying vineyards.  Invaiatura can happen irregularly in an almost counter intuitive way.  For example, I was speaking with Giacomo Satta (Michele Satta) and even though they are further south in Maremma, they have not seen any changing yet.  This is mainly due to the cooler breezes from the sea that moderate the temperatures for them.  His Sauvignon Blanc will be first harvested.  He thinks they are on track for early August.

~ Sangiovese berries beginning to turn color at Castello Banfi ~

Another look at Sangiovese Grosso hanging nicely in Montalcino.  These images are from my friends at La Magia, whose vineyards are nicely elevated overlooking the Sant’Antimo Abbey.  The loose clusters of Sangiovese benefit greatly from the breezes at La Magia.  I’ve been there several times now and I don’t think it’s ever, not been breezy.

~ Again, what you notice here is the manner in which the grapes are completely shaded by the canopy. You also get a good look at the loose open cluster so characteristic of Sangiovese ~

~ Here’s a different cluster shot from slightly further away but you can still get a good appreciation for the shading from the leaves ~

To close this first installment, we’ll have one final word from Daniele Rosti, who I chatted with only yesterday.  He told me that the rains have moderated but they’re still getting some.  Temps are set to go back up this week, so we’ll see how things progress.  He too has seen the beginnings of invaiatura.

~ Sangiovese beginning to turn color – July 14th, 2025 ~

Stay tuned for more updates to this article.

Salute!