Vendemmia manuale o meccanica?

Harvest timing is determined by the desired sugar ripeness and the need to bring the fruit in before weather or deterioration compromises it. Mechanical harvesting can increase speed and reduce costs, but its feasibility and results depend on vineyard slope, row spacing, access, post height, training and the behaviour of the berries and shoots.

Machines detach berries by shaking the vines. This more aggressive handling may release juice before the fruit reaches the winery, exposing it to oxidation and conditions that can encourage fungal development. Mechanical harvesting also cannot make the same bunch-by-bunch selection and may therefore level out differences in fruit quality.

Manual harvesting is slower and more expensive, but permits a gentler, more precise selection. Bunches can reach the winery intact in baskets before mechanical crushing produces the must. Cantalici regards this control, respect for the grapes and continuation of manual tradition as decisive reasons for retaining hand harvesting.