The Vignamaggio Harvest

Winter rainfall was approximately 35% below the annual average, spring was unusually warm and summer brought a drought lasting more than three months. Rain in the second half of August relieved vine stress, though high temperatures advanced harvest by about ten days. Bunch samples were analysed for sugar, acidity and phenolic maturity.

Picking began on 5 September with Syrah, Merlot and Sangiovese for rosé and Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco for white wine. Merlot followed from 7 September. Malvasia del Chianti and Trebbiano Toscano were placed in a drying room for three months before pressing for Vinsanto. Sangiovese harvest ran from 15 September to 5 October.

All fruit was hand-picked into 200 kg crates and selected in the vineyard, on a manual belt and by optical sorter. Microvinification tested vine material saved from old uprooted vineyards, leading to new “Vignamaggio” Sangiovese plantings. Chopped stems and pomace were directed to compost for later vineyard fertilisation.